From the 7th Steel Company to the Synthetic Division

Sun Zhu, a veteran reporter who only had prejudices against the Seventh Steel Brigade, thought he had infiltrated the enemy camp and was sure he could find out the truth he wanted.

However, what he never expected was that this forced visit to the 7th Steel Brigade gave him the opportunity to come into close contact with digitalized combined arms units, which sparked his strong interest in specialized adversary units.

This caused Sun Zhu to undergo a complete 180-degree reversal from being initially considered the "biggest hater".

Inside the command post of the 7th Steel Brigade, Chen Jun and the others were unaware that Sun Zhu was out there trying to cause trouble. They were busy discussing the upcoming exercise with the experts.

"According to our intelligence, the main forces of the two opposing forces from the navy and air force have gathered at Hill 708, ceased their exercises, and are awaiting instructions from headquarters."

The expert group was quite surprised to hear Chen Jun announce this news.

"It's absurd to stop the exercise just because we lost contact. They're treating acting like a joke," Deputy Director Liu criticized harshly.

"This is the first time we've encountered a situation like this. We'd like to know what the experts think," Wang Qingrui said.

"In my opinion, we should launch an attack while they are in a state of confusion and break the deadlock," Deputy Director Liu suggested.

This suggestion was very bold, and Chen Jun's eyes lit up.

"Haha, I must say, an expert is an expert, their thinking is truly extraordinary. This unexpected approach is absolutely brilliant, I think it's a great idea," Chen Jun agreed.

By giving the experts a little flattery, you can make them feel more involved.

and.

Having a better relationship with experts can only be beneficial.

"Team Leader Tan said before the exercise started that there were no pre-planned plans or rules for this exercise, which means that the directing department actually has no right to interfere with the exercise," Gao Cheng analyzed.

“Then even if we launch an attack now, it won’t be considered a violation of the rules of the game, but rather within reasonable limits,” Hong Yi said excitedly.

"Since everyone has this idea, then let's do this..."

With Chen Jun and Gao Cheng's men already expressing their opinions, Wang Qingrui stopped hesitating and decisively said, "The low-altitude missile unit of the Tsunami Assault Brigade has been stationed along the highway in the Sixth Division. We can choose it as our target."

"Missile unit, good, high-value target."

Deputy Director Liu immediately agreed and analyzed, "They received the order to suspend the exercise and have not entered combat status. We can take the initiative and send an army aviation unit to hit them. We can definitely catch them off guard."

"Alright, then Deputy Chief of Staff Hong, go and carry it out," Wang Qingrui ordered.

"Yes."

Hong Yi nodded and strode away.

"Deputy Director Liu, they'll find out soon that you're in my area. What if you come and cause trouble?" Chen Jun wanted to take precautions in advance.

"I'd like to see what the Tsunami Assault Brigade and the Mountain Eagle Brigade will do," Deputy Director Liu said with a smile.

"I understand," Chen Jun smiled.

"Brigade Commander, we now know that the exercise command and both the Red and Blue Armies have been searching for an expert team. Should we report the truth?" Gao Cheng asked.

“Reporting is not impossible, the problem is how to report it,” Wang Qingrui said, frowning.

“You don’t need to worry about us. We’re just here to observe the exercise. But how we observe is our own choice. I’m even thinking that we might as well turn our disappearance into detention.”

Deputy Director Liu is quite a bold person; his words startled Chen Jun.

He quickly waved his hand and said, "No, no, no, Deputy Director Liu, we did not detain you. This is a serious matter, and our Seventh Steel Brigade cannot bear this responsibility."

Although Chen Jun appears bold in his actions, he is actually meticulous in his approach to boldness.

Over the years since joining the Seventh Steel Company, Chen Jun has done many audacious and reckless things, but he has always adhered to the principle of having a reason in his hands.

No matter how bad things get, it's still within Chen Jun's control.

The kidnapping and detention of the expert team has already far exceeded the permitted limits.

Within the exercise area, you can do whatever you want without much trouble, but the expert group is outside the scope of the exercise and operations. Trouble with them is like stirring up a hornet's nest.

"I mean, now that we've joined the Seventh Steel Brigade, let's make the most of this and push the exercise to its climax."

Deputy Director Liu's explanation made everyone realize that he meant to pretend they were being detained and use this false information to trick both the Red and Blue sides into a trap.

“Deputy Director Liu, your idea is very good, but we need to discuss it first.”

Wang Qingrui relaxed, but he didn't immediately agree to Deputy Director Liu's request. He wanted to organize the internal staff to discuss the matter before making a decision.

“Our expert group is acting as advisors; we will only offer suggestions and will not interfere forcefully. You can make the arrangements,” Deputy Director Liu readily agreed to the request.

"Deputy Chief of Staff Hong, has the attack order been issued?"

Wang Qingrui gave Chen Jun and Tian Baoguo a look, meaning for them to go outside and discuss things with him, and before they went out, he reminded them to keep an eye on the attack.

"The Army Aviation Battalion has received orders to begin execution, confirming the deployment of a four-aircraft formation. They will engage in combat and then depart," Hong Yi replied.

"Okay, then you and Deputy Brigade Commander Gao can chat with the experts."

Commander Wang gave a final instruction, nodded to the expert team, and then stepped out of the command tent to meet with Chen Jun, who was already outside.

……

708 Hill.

The brigade commanders and chiefs of staff of the Mountain Eagle Brigade and the Tsunami Brigade, due to the sudden suspension of the exercise and the inexplicable orders, had to turn from adversaries into partners and sit down together to discuss the matter.

“We voluntarily stopped our counterattack against you, but I never expected that you would dare to cut off the communication channel with the exercise command. Knowing that we did not put up any resistance, why did you keep rushing forward?” Wang Hu complained.

"I'm annoyed by that Deputy Commander-in-Chief Qian. He has to get involved in everything, big or small. I have to report to him about even the smallest things. It's really driving me crazy," Xiahou Lan said with a wry smile.

"Because we stopped all counterattacks against you and cut off the power to the minefield, otherwise, Chief of Staff Su, your armored command vehicle would have been blown to bits by us. You just came up here, and you still have the audacity to say that you captured it," Wang Hu continued to complain.

"Haha, you only avoided the embarrassment of defeat by taking advantage of the ceasefire order. If it really came down to a fight, who's afraid of you? Those few landmines on your ground are just like a few piles of poop, they're useless except for polluting the battlefield." Chief of Staff Su was very unconvinced.

"Keep bragging..."

Just as Wang Hu was about to launch another counterattack, the intelligence staff officer rushed over and reported, "Brigade Commander, we have clarified the situation regarding the expert's loss of contact."

"Where?" Xiahou Lan stood up abruptly and asked.

"While their exact location is still unclear, their whereabouts have been determined. The expert team and accompanying journalists were picked up by the 7th Steel Brigade. They were told they went to the 7th Steel Brigade's camp," the intelligence officer reported.

"Taken away? Did you take them away, or kidnapped them? Did you hear me clearly?" Wang Hu asked seriously.

"What I heard sounded like they were being picked up," the intelligence officer replied.
“I’m more inclined to believe it was a kidnapping,” Xiahou Lan said with certainty.

"Tell me the details," Wang Hu said, sounding somewhat anxious. "Our scouts searched back along the route and found the bus that was taking the experts back to base. It was stopped halfway there, and they said it had broken down and couldn't be driven."

After finishing his explanation, the intelligence officer took out a map and pointed to a marked point below, saying, "This is it."

"Black Pine Forest? Aren't we almost at the base?" Xiahou Lan said.

"There were still more than ten kilometers to go, and the driver couldn't fix it. The vehicle's communication system also broke down for some reason, so he could only stay there and watch over the vehicle. This is why the director's office couldn't be contacted, resulting in the expert team being out of contact."

After the intelligence officer finished speaking, he paused for two seconds and then added, "Oh, and the driver told us that the expert team and the reporters were in the car under the black pine forest."

After the expert team got off the vehicle, soldiers from the 7th Steel Brigade quickly emerged from the black pine forest, saying they had been specially brought to visit the 7th Steel Brigade. So they all went into the black pine forest.

The information obtained by the intelligence officer was basically true; the driver did not lie to him in any way.

As for why the car suddenly broke down, why the in-car communication suddenly stopped working, and why there was no cell phone signal, it was obviously done intentionally by someone.

If so many members of the expert group fell for it, it would be a piece of cake to fool a driver.

"I just want to know if there was any kidnapping?"

Xiahou Lan needs to confirm this, because the difference between having it and not having it is significant.

If it is confirmed that the 7th Steel Brigade engaged in kidnapping, then this matter will be a serious violation of rules and regulations, and if it is reported, it will definitely make the 7th Steel Brigade pay.

"I really don't know, the driver didn't say," the intelligence officer replied.

"So all of this proves that Chen Jun and his group were definitely behind this. No matter the reason, the expert team is already in their hands; they have either been kidnapped or detained," Wang Hu analyzed.

"Hey, Chen Jun, only he could pull off something like this. Kidnapping the expert team during a drill, I'm impressed, I'm utterly impressed," Xiahou Lan said.

As for the admiration he mentioned, whether it was genuine admiration or sarcastic mockery, the meaning is already very clear.

"Me too, I have to admit it."

Wang Hu grinned, a look of deep emotion on his face, then said with a wicked smile, "If it were you, would you dare?"

"I wouldn't even dare to think about it. Apart from those who carry out terrorist attacks, who would dare to do something so outrageous?" Xiahou Lan said.

"Ugh."

Wang Hu sighed, his emotions complicated, and said, "Report this to the exercise command quickly. We'll see what the command says how to handle the situation."

"Yes!"

The intelligence officer strode away.

“You don’t even need to guess the command’s reaction; they’ll definitely demand his release,” Xiahou Lan said, sitting down again.

"Let him go?"

Brigade Commander Wang gave a cold laugh and said something startling: "What if Army Chen doesn't release them?"

Xiahou Lan noticed the thoughts in Wang Hu's eyes, so he went along with it and asked, "What are your thoughts? Tell me and we'll discuss it."

"It would be better if he didn't release them. If he doesn't release them, we can use the rescue as an excuse to wipe out the Steel Seventh Brigade," Wang Hu suggested menacingly.

"Haha." Xiahou Lan laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" Wang Hu asked, frowning.

"This is indeed an excellent training subject, and also the most powerful evidence for our two brigades to join forces and eliminate Chen Jun. We have a legitimate reason to launch the operation, but..."

Xiahou Lan abruptly changed the subject, leaving the rest of his sentence unsaid.

"Stop with the 'buts,' just say it," Commander Wang asked urgently.

"Would Deputy Commander Qian agree?" Xiahou Lan asked.

"Who cares if he agrees or not? We'll use Chen Jun's detention of the expert group as a pretext. It's perfectly legitimate. What can he do to us?" Commander Wang glared.

"Aren't you afraid he'll hold you accountable?" Xiahou Lan asked, half-closing her eyes.

"At worst, I'll quit being a brigade commander. I'm not going to put up with this nonsense."

Commander Wang's temper flared up, and he angrily said, "Since the first day I entered the Wufeng Mountain base, I haven't fought a single satisfying battle."

All I do all day is practice and rehearsal, it's just acting with them. I've never had a real live-fire exercise. I'm going crazy from all this boredom.

This is a rare opportunity for us. If you trust me, just do it.

Brigade Commander Wang had already made his position clear, and Xiahou Lan had long disliked Deputy Commander Qian. Brigade Commander Wang's words hit the nail on the head.

“Alright, that’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for. Let’s join forces and take down their Seventh Steel Brigade.” Xiahou Lan waved his hand and said.

"happy!"

Commander Wang smiled with satisfaction, wishing he could hug and kiss Xiahou Lan.

"Chief of Staff Su, you stay here and work with Brigade Commander Wang and the others to draft a coordinated combat plan. I'll return to the command post immediately to deploy reinforcements."

Xiahou Lan left immediately after giving the order, his hurried manner showing that he was serious.

Not long after Xiahou Lan left by helicopter, the attack from the 7th Steel Brigade was launched, with four armed helicopters attacking the low-altitude missile unit of the Tsunami Brigade.

Normally.

Low-altitude missile units are the nemesis of helicopters; armed helicopters will avoid them, let alone actively run over to attack them.

If they were to encounter each other on the main battlefield, armed helicopters would be tantamount to suicide missions.

Unfortunately, Deputy Commander Qian was quite amusing. At that very moment, he issued an order to the Red and Blue Armies to stop the exercise, but failed to issue an order to the 7th Steel Brigade.

Because the Seventh Steel Brigade was not under his control and was directly connected to Commander-in-Chief Tan, his orders could not be issued.

This resulted in the missile unit, which was supposed to be a helicopter killer, not even entering combat mode. The soldiers got off the vehicles and rested on the sidelines, waiting for orders.

After all, mechanized vehicles are like metal canisters, and staying inside them all the time can be quite stifling.

When the helicopters of the 7th Steel Brigade suddenly appeared, the soldiers of the missile detachment of the Tsunami Assault Brigade had no time to get into combat mode.

Under the lightning-fast attack of the armed helicopters, the vehicle was shot into smoke before it could even climb onto the road.

The entire missile unit, consisting of more than a dozen armored missile vehicles, failed to fire a single missile, instead emitting thick white smoke and being eliminated on the spot.

The trump card that the Tsunami Brigade held in their hands vanished in an instant. (End of Chapter)