Soldiers Assault: Starting from the 7th Steel Company

Chapter 211 The situation is very favorable

The crystal chandelier at the banquet illuminated the entire hall as if it were daytime, and amidst the clinking of glasses, business elites and political figures from various countries chatted and laughed.

Amy's statement was actually quite good, considering she had studied in Western Europe for many years and basically had a Western mindset. But when she said the next thing, everyone was stunned.

"A man as outstanding as Mr. Chen is truly my dream lover."

Amy's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the dozen or so people around to hear clearly. After she finished speaking, she winked at Chen Jiang, her coral-colored lips curving upwards slightly.

The air seemed to freeze instantly. Several guests who had been talking suddenly fell silent; some coughed awkwardly, while others pretended to drink to hide their expressions. All eyes darted back and forth between Amy, Chen Jiang, and Chu Ning.

Chu Ning turned her head slightly, her gaze shifting to the young girl in the Dior haute couture gown.

Amy Benba, the Vice President's darling daughter, completed two master's degrees at Cambridge at the young age of twenty.

Chu Ning felt the champagne glass in her hand suddenly turn icy cold. She saw her husband's ears turn red at a visible speed, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his lips parted slightly but he couldn't make a sound immediately.

"My God, this is too much!" A French official nearby gasped. "His wife is right here. What does this mean?"

Chu Ning's gaze met that of King Benba, who was standing not far from Amy.

The usually dignified monarch's face was now filled with shock and embarrassment. His thick eyebrows were almost furrowed, clearly also taken aback by his daughter's words and actions.

“King Benba usually spoils his princess too much, so she speaks without thinking,” someone explained in a low voice. “Now it’s going to be hard to handle.”

Chu Ning took a deep breath, feeling a fire burning in her chest, but quickly adjusted her breathing.

She gently put down her champagne glass, naturally took Chen Jiang's arm, and felt the tension in her husband's muscles.

“I feel incredibly lucky and honored that such an outstanding girl as Miss Amy is in love with my Chen Jiang,” Chu Ning’s voice was like a spring breeze brushing across ice, gentle yet powerful. “It’s a pity you’re a step too late; I beat you to it.”

After she finished speaking, she winked at Amy, mimicking the other's expression, but with a warning in her eyes that only a woman could understand.

After a brief silence, a burst of relieved laughter erupted from the crowd. Several older guests even applauded, and a French businessman exclaimed, "Brilliant! This is Eastern wisdom!"

Amy's face flushed instantly, the redness spreading from her ears down to the exposed skin of her collarbone. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she only managed a forced smile: "Ms. Chu is quite humorous."

King Benba stepped forward at the opportune moment and said in heavily accented English, "My daughter grew up abroad and sometimes speaks too directly. Please forgive her, Mr. and Mrs. Chen." As he spoke, he gave Amy a stern look.

Chen Jiang finally found his voice: "Miss Amy's praise flatters me, but I think any man with a partner like my wife would feel that his life is complete." He turned to Chu Ning, his eyes full of sincere apology and love.

Chu Ning smiled in response, but Chen Jiang knew that he would have to give her a proper explanation when he got back tonight.

The atmosphere at the banquet gradually returned to normal, and the guests began chatting in small groups again, though curious glances still occasionally drifted in their direction. Waiters brought in fresh drinks and snacks, and soft music filled the awkward silence.

"I heard that Princess Amy studied international finance at Cambridge?" Chu Ning broke the silence, her tone as relaxed as if she were talking about the weather. "The finance program at that university is very famous; I've heard a little about it."

Amy paused for a moment, clearly not expecting the other party to suddenly change the subject: "Yes, I study under Professor Smith. You also study international finance?"

“No, no, no,” Chu Ning said with a smile and a shake of his head, “I am a military doctor.”

A hint of admiration flashed in King Benba's eyes: "So Ms. Chu is a nurse, which is the most scarce talent in our DRC."

“Vice President Benba!” Kara was a little annoyed when she heard the other party say “our DRC”. She said half-jokingly, “Don’t even think about poaching her to work here. She’s just here to experience life and will be going back to her country soon.”

Chu Ning smiled elegantly, “President Kara, I’m not here to experience life. I’m also a soldier, a major medic.”

This surprised Kara, Benba, and the others, especially Amy. She never expected that Chu Ning was not only outstanding in appearance, but also a highly skilled military doctor. Otherwise, he would not have been able to reach the rank of major.

After exchanging pleasantries, Benba and the others left.
As Chu Ning and her husband sat down again, Chen Jiang whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect it to turn out this way."

"We'll talk about it when we get home." Chu Ning maintained her perfect smile, but she subtly pinched her husband's arm with just enough force to let him know that she wasn't entirely indifferent.

Not far away, the Chinese personnel exclaimed, "Chu Ning's response was brilliant. She elevated her husband's status, asserted her sovereignty in the relationship, and at the same time, didn't embarrass Amy too much, giving her face. Such a sense of proportion is truly worthy of being Chen Jiang's wife."

“But I don’t think Princess Amy will give up so easily,” her colleague whispered. “Look at the look in her eyes.”

Indeed, when the crowd separated them again, Amy's gaze still followed Chen Jiang's back, her eyes filled with a mixture of resentment and even stronger interest.

That night, after the Benba family returned home, he unusually lashed out at his beloved daughter Amy, blaming her for embarrassing him in public.

Unexpectedly, Amy's mother had a different opinion.

She advised that the relationship between China and Kara is too close now, and as Kara’s power grows stronger, Benba’s life will become increasingly difficult. It would be better to take this opportunity to strengthen ties with China. If Amy could become good friends with Chen Jiang, it would undoubtedly be a great help in the future.

Her words sounded like a fantasy—a vice president of a country wanting his daughter to climb the social ladder? And to climb the social ladder to a lieutenant colonel?

But upon closer examination, this is indeed an undeniable fact: once China continues to supply weapons and equipment to Kara's new army, they will eventually be devoured by him.

The next morning, Port Matadi was shrouded in a thin mist, and the distant sea was just beginning to lighten. Chen Jiang arrived at the port early to see off Wu Zhe and the others who were about to depart for home.

Compared to other ships, the Sovremenny-class destroyers docked in the harbor looked particularly imposing, their gray-white hulls gleaming coldly in the morning sun.

"Wu Zhe, be careful on the road." Chen Jiang patted Wu Zhe on the shoulder. The two had known each other for so many years and had already established a deep camaraderie.

"Don't worry, but you need to be careful here," Wu Zhe said in a low voice, "about that yesterday..."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Jiang's expression changed.

He subconsciously turned around to look, afraid that the figure that gave him a headache would suddenly appear again.

After returning to his post last night, he spent a long time explaining to his wife, Chu Ning. Although Chu Ning said things like "I believe you" and "I don't mind," the ambiguous smile and subtle sourness in her expression sent chills down Chen Jiang's spine.

What woman would like to have her husband coveted by another woman? Especially such an outstanding young and beautiful one. "Don't even mention it, I'm afraid of women now," Chen Jiang shook his head with a wry smile, "especially those who are overly enthusiastic."

Just then, a commotion broke out at the port entrance.

Chen Jiang's heart skipped a beat, and sure enough, he saw Amy leading several local officials toward them.

Amy today is completely different from last night. Gone is her sexy outfit from yesterday; she's now wearing a proper business suit, and her hair is neatly styled in a bun.

“Lieutenant Colonel Chen, I am here on behalf of my father to see the Chinese Navy off,” Amy said in fluent English, her tone formal and polite. “Thank you for China’s contribution to maintaining regional peace.”

Chen Jiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but still maintained a safe distance. "Thank you for your concern, Vice President. It is our duty."

Amy seemed to sense Chen Jiang's wariness, and a slight smile appeared on her lips. She turned towards the warship, her eyes revealing genuine admiration: "In our African country, it's truly rare to witness such a powerful warship firsthand. The modernization of the Chinese navy is admirable."

At 9:00 a.m. sharp, the warship slowly sailed away from the port.

Wu Zhe and others stood on the bridge and saluted their comrades on the shore.

Chen Jiang straightened his back, solemnly returned the salute, and watched the warship gradually disappear on the distant horizon.

"By the time I return to China next time, our aircraft carrier might be ready for deployment," Chen Jiang said to the person beside him.

Guo Baoqing said this with a firm tone.

Guo Baoqing looked incredulous: "Old Chen, is your news reliable? Our aircraft carrier project is still going strong, isn't it?"

"Just wait and see," Chen Jiang smiled, without saying anything more.

He firmly believes that the development speed of the Chinese Navy far exceeds the outside world's imagination.

After the farewell ceremony, Chen Jiang thought he could finally breathe a sigh of relief, but Amy came knocking again. This time, however, she was in an official capacity, inviting Chen Jiang to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a large processing plant in Kinshasa next week.

Chen Jiang initially wanted to decline, but considering the cooperative relationship between China and Congo, he eventually agreed.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, second-generation heirs like Amy essentially represent their father's wishes.

Upon returning to his post, Chen Jiang immediately threw himself into his demanding work.

In light of the lessons learned from the previous ambush, he set higher requirements for the military training of the engineer battalion.

In addition to daily construction work, two hours of tactical training every morning and evening is conducted without fail.

The training content not only includes conventional shooting, hand-to-hand combat, and tactical coordination, but also adds anti-tank and anti-helicopter combat subjects.

The weapons and equipment transported with the supply ship this time are quite sufficient, including new man-portable air defense missiles and anti-tank rocket launchers, enough to support the combat needs of this regimental-level unit.

At the same time, Chen Jiang strengthened joint training with General Kara's newly formed First Brigade.

This brigade, which originally numbered only 5,000, was expanded to 8,000 after capturing a large number of weapons from South Africa, becoming the best-equipped unit in the Congolese government army.

At a dinner following a joint exercise, General Kara enthusiastically revealed his military expansion plan to Chen Jiang: "Once the economy improves, I want to expand the army to three divisions, with a total strength of 30,000 men." Kara raised his glass, "At that time, I will need the support of our Chinese friends."

Chen Jiang understood that Kara's words were both a gesture of goodwill and a test of China's attitude. He cautiously responded, "China has always supported the DRC's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. As long as it complies with relevant UN regulations, we are willing to provide necessary assistance within our capabilities."

In fact, the economic revitalization of the Democratic Republic of Congo has already begun to show results.

In particular, the railway construction agreement reached between China and Congo has injected new vitality into this resource-rich but underdeveloped country.

This planned railway artery, running through the northeast and southwest, will completely transform the transportation landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The region's abundant mineral resources can be transported directly by rail to the port of Matadi, from where they are exported worldwide. China provides technical and some financial support, while the Democratic Republic of Congo provides labor and some raw materials.

Recruitment along the railway line went exceptionally smoothly. For the local people who had long lived in poverty, getting a job with room and board was like a godsend.

Long queues form at the registration desk every day, with some people even traveling overnight from hundreds of kilometers away.

As railway construction progressed, Chen Jiang's troops faced increasingly heavy tasks. They not only had to maintain security along the line but also guard against sabotage by various armed groups. These bandits were mostly marginalized former militants who refused to be integrated into the government and made a living by robbing and pillaging.

However, this rabble was no match for the Chinese peacekeeping forces. After a brief exchange of fire, most of the bandits surrendered, and the few who resisted were quickly eliminated.

Chen Jiang strictly enforced discipline, requiring soldiers to treat prisoners of war humanely, while also promoting the benefits of railway construction to the local people.

Thanks to the efforts of Chen Jiang's troops, the security situation along the railway line has significantly improved. Vice President Benba was very satisfied with this and publicly praised the contributions of the Chinese peacekeeping forces on several occasions. In return, he provided Chen Jiang with considerable assistance in terms of logistical support and intelligence.

The stabilization of the national situation has led to a gradual economic recovery.

Ship after ship carrying copper, cobalt, and other minerals departs from Matadi Port for China, while Chinese building materials, machinery, and daily necessities are continuously imported into this African country. This mutually beneficial model has brought China-Congo relations closer together.

Amidst these busy and fulfilling days, a piece of good news arrived—Chu Ning was about to give birth. Chen Jiang had taken leave in advance and waited outside the medical team's makeshift delivery room. Hearing the cries of pain coming from inside, this tough guy who never backed down on the battlefield was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

After an unknown amount of time, a clear cry of a baby broke the tense atmosphere.

"It's a boy! 8 pounds 3 ounces!" The nurse came out carrying the swaddled baby, her face beaming with smiles. "Mother and child are safe!"

Chen Jiang carefully took his son Chen Gang, and looking at that wrinkled little face, the tough soldier's eyes welled up with tears.

Upon learning the news, General Kara and President Benba both offered to send servants to help take care of the child. However, Chen Jiang politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, but we Chinese are used to taking care of our children ourselves."

In fact, Chen Jiang and Chu Ning both understood that in this special environment, any outsider could pose a safety hazard. Moreover, as parents, they preferred to personally accompany their child's growth.

(End of this chapter)