In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 207 Differentiation and Subjugation

Yan Yan returned to the Mobile Brigade's barracks.

At this moment, a large group of people gathered in the office building of the brigade headquarters to discuss countermeasures.

This scene has been going on for more than half a month. Ever since Lu Zhao came to the detachment, the sergeants of the mobile brigade have been unable to concentrate on training and have been gathering together every day to brainstorm ideas.

Those with connections used their connections, and those with ideas offered suggestions, but in the end, it was all in vain.

The connections they could find couldn't possibly be higher than the Commander-in-Chief's; the order to persuade them to retire and be disbanded was the General Headquarters's command.

Even those with ideas couldn't sway Lu Zhao.

He's the squad leader; if he doesn't cooperate, he'll get a warning, and in serious cases, he'll be disciplined. There's no such thing as a special forces soldier in a TV drama arguing with his superior and then getting away with it, enjoying everyone's respect.

If Captain Cao had merely talked back, he would have been warned by the brigade headquarters the next day. It was clear to some astute people that Lu Zhao had already shown leniency.

The soldiers simply didn't want to be told to quit, not that they wanted to rebel.

Being asked to leave a job might at most result in being transferred to another unit, but if a violent conflict occurs, then the matter will be referred to a military court.

This is what Captain Li has been telling them recently.

Relying on his prestige, Li He kept reassuring the special agents and constantly sought psychological counseling from others.

Leaving the military isn't all bad; the outside world is a whole new world.

"Captain Yan is back!"

Someone noticed Yan Yan and quickly invited him into the room.

As soon as Yan Yan entered, several comrades who were also going to be discharged surrounded him, asking questions all at once:

"Captain Yan, what did Lu Laohu say?"

"I heard from Captain Cao that, judging from what Tiger Lu said, it seems like there's a chance for things to turn around."

"Bullshit! With Lu Laohu's strictness, there's no way he'll back down. I've been in the army for eight years, and I've never seen a leader stroll around the drill ground every day, demanding that each unit submit a training report every week!"

"Tiger Lu" was the nickname given to Lu Zhao by the soldiers of the Ninth Detachment.

Every day is like patrolling the mountains, spending half a day inspecting the special counter-terrorism unit's training and the amount of supplements they take.

Some individuals who don't drink enough will be singled out and criticized.

In just half a month, the various companies have been thoroughly exhausted, just like in the recruit camp.

As a result, Lu Zhao's image of being ruthless, cold-hearted, and rigidly adhering to all military discipline was immediately established in the Ninth Detachment.

Some complained, "Life development requires a balance of intensity and relaxation, and our second stage is sufficient. Now, with his arrival, we're like donkeys on a millstone."

"Could you transfer to another branch?"

"The headquarters has already issued an order that no one is allowed to transfer to another team this year."

Yan Yan waited until everyone had finished speaking before speaking, "Actually, Chief Lu didn't do anything wrong. Don't think of him as such a bad person."

"He's just adhering to the rules and regulations of the military, and his training is all in compliance with regulations. He doesn't let us slack off because it's for our own good. If everyone works hard to develop their vitality, then at least everyone can reach the second level."

Yan Yan felt that Lu Zhao did the right thing in supervising the training.

The special operations forces weren't lax in their training, but they still didn't live up to the resources they received. The previous discharge criteria used by the headquarters were precisely to weed out those who weren't working hard enough.

Chief Lu did nothing wrong!

"..."

Everyone was stunned for three seconds, and Cao Yang's eyes widened as well.

Immediately, the office erupted in chaos.

"Holy crap, Lao Yan has betrayed us!"

"Comrades, there's a traitor among us!"

“Even Chief Lu can call him that.”

Cao Yang and another squad leader immediately rushed over, each supporting one of their arms.

Captain Cao said fiercely, "Confess and you'll be treated leniently; resist and you'll be punished severely. Tell me honestly, did you betray the brothers?"

As he spoke, Yan Yan was lifted up and his legs were spread apart as he was about to ram his head against the pillar outside the door.

Yan Yan raised his voice and hurriedly said, "Listen to me, you all listen to me first, I confess, I confess!"

Amidst the commotion, the group, half-jokingly and half-angrily, put Yan Yan down.

Cao Yang said seriously, "Old Yan, we're not joking. Tell me honestly what Lu Laohu promised you."

"He didn't promise me anything, it's still the same as you said."

Seeing that everyone was about to make trouble again, Yan Yan explained, "If I'm not mistaken, Captain Lu means that we can leave behind a portion of the elite core members."

Cao Yang said with a face full of doubt, "But I did say that I wanted him to eliminate the criteria for the third category of personnel."

The third category of personnel, those who have served for six years without reaching the third rank, all need to leave.

This is what makes many special operations soldiers most dissatisfied, especially the mobile brigade.

Most of them are at the second level, and the remaining first-level personnel have only been in the special counter-terrorism unit for a year and are not among the three categories of personnel.

In everyone's eyes, they were the elite of the special counter-terrorism unit, the main fighting force of the Ninth Detachment, so how could they all be driven away?

Cao Yang's initial demand was to abolish the third category of personnel.

As for the fact that Captains Yu and Li were to be persuaded to resign, no one was paying attention anymore, since they were also among the three categories of personnel.

Yan Yan further explained, "The standard might be a bit higher. For example, breaking through two barriers at the second level counts as passing, breaking through three barriers counts as passing. Or, if the supernatural power has a very significant practical application, it can also be considered passing."

"Wouldn't that mean abandoning everyone else? Not everyone can clear two levels! Have you forgotten the motto of the Ninth Squad?"

Cao Yang was furious. He pointed to the slogan hanging on the wall.

Never abandon, never give up, share joys and sorrows, face life and death together.

Yan Yan also got a little angry and retorted, "This is not a battlefield. They just went to work in other units after leaving the team. They didn't die."

"But nobody wants to leave. Don't think you can rest easy just because you've passed the test. It might be your turn again next year!"

"Then what do you think we should do?!"

"Anyway, I don't agree."

"Cao Yang! The military is not a place for you to display your personal heroism."

The two started arguing, and their voices echoed throughout the entire mobile brigade's base, from the office area to the dormitory, and even the parade ground.

More than a hundred members of the mobile squadron watched, and the originally united group was vaguely divided into two factions during the argument between the two.

The officers who had broken through two or even three levels of defense began to ponder.

The leap from the second to the third stage is 150 points of vitality, which is the process of recognizing and controlling one's own physical body.

70 points to break the Heart Gate and learn to control Qi; 100 points to break the Spleen Gate and heal internal organs; 130 points to break the Lung Gate and strengthen bones; 160 points to break the Kidney Gate and enhance endurance; and finally, the Liver Gate to harmonize the five internal organs.

Breaking through the second barrier requires at least 100 points of vitality, and breaking through the third barrier requires at least 130 points of vitality.

Those who are capable have begun to consider their options for retreat.

In the end, Yan Yan and Cao Yang parted on bad terms.

The mobile brigade was also split in two. Many people spoke out in support of Cao Yang, but some remained silent.

Li arrived at the Mobile Brigade an hour later to inquire about the situation.

Seeing this, I couldn't help but sigh.

This mobile brigade is probably going to be disbanded and reorganized. Even if the elite core members are left in the end, there will be a rift between them.
-
March 17th.

Lu Zhao asked Comrade Xiao Wei to summon the captains of the Second Special Operations Squadron and the Third Emergency Squadron of the Mobile Brigade.

The two met at the branch office, and both felt somewhat awkward. After all, they had promised not to abandon each other, but in the end, they both obediently came to talk.

They didn't greet each other or exchange pleasantries; they stood five or six steps apart outside the detachment leader's office.

Comrade Xiao Wei walked out of the room and called out, "Captain Lei, the leader wants you to come in first."

"Yes."

One of them stepped into the office, stood at attention and saluted Lu Zhaoli, saying, "Reporting, Lei Lang, captain of the second squadron of the mobile brigade, reporting for duty!"

Lu Zhao returned the salute, put down the documents in his hand, and laid them flat on the desk. In the upper left corner, you could see Lei Lang's name and headshot.

Lei Lang, the 2nd Special Forces Squadron Leader, is 36 years old. He has 145 points in life development, has broken through three barriers, and possesses a powerful physical supernatural ability. His special ability is healing, allowing him to survive cardiac arrest.

He has served for more than 15 years and is a second-class sergeant major.

Lu Zhao said, "Captain Lei, I've reviewed your file. You are an outstanding soldier with abilities well-suited for serving in the special counter-insurgency unit. If you can advance to the third rank, you could easily become a colonel and then a branch commander."

There are two paths in the military: one is to become a field officer, holding a command position; the other is to become a sergeant major, commonly known as a "king of soldiers."

Above sergeant major is junior officer, who can be promoted to the rank of general.

Special countermeasures units have many sergeant majors who, despite being third-rank, do not hold command positions.

They are the core force of the special counter-terrorism unit.

"But I'm sorry, your service time has been too long."

Lei Lang's thoughts trembled slightly.

His abilities are indeed very suitable, but his life development is too slow, and his speed of breaking through the five levels is also slow.

If he were given more time and could advance to the third rank, even if he eventually left the special operations force, he would at least be a chief clerk after retiring from the military.

If one is willing to be sent down to a less developed region, one should be able to become a powerful adjutant, or even a principal officer.

The lower limit for the second tier is to look in the archives, and the lower limit for the third tier is to be a local deputy with real power.

Lu Zhao deliberately paused for more than ten seconds, giving him enough time to consider.

"I can let you stay on the team, but the condition is that you break four barriers within a year."

Lei Lang asked, "Is this the standard for everyone else as well?"

"These are the standards I've set for you."

Lu Zhao shook his head and said, "Others have other requests. If you agree, I will do my best to make you an outstanding officer this year, give you more resources, and help you break through the fourth level."

Lei Lang hesitated and said, "If I agree, how will I lead the team when I get back?"

Lu Zhao said, "I will reorganize the Mobile Brigade. There is one thing you must understand: you are soldiers of the Federation, not anyone's private army."

What do you think of these conditions?

He couldn't refuse, and there was no way he could refuse.

After more than a decade of hard work, it was impossible for Lei Lang to give up. Moreover, if he could establish a connection with Lu Laohu, he might become the captain after the reorganization.

Alternatively, one could choose not to become a school officer and instead advance to the third rank.

Sergeant Major Rank 3 is actually the least likely to be dismissed.

Lei Lang took a deep breath and replied, "Thank you for your appreciation, Chief Lu. I will certainly live up to your expectations."

Lu Zhao nodded in satisfaction.

This is exactly the effect he wanted. His master once said that rewards, punishments, and expenses are all part of the process of winning people's hearts.

The task of persuading someone to withdraw is certainly troublesome, but it also represents a great deal of power. Under normal circumstances, Lu Zhao would find it difficult to control the Mobile Brigade; at most, he could give Cao Yang a warning and then offer him a reward.

Let's all maintain good relationships; there's no need to make things so tense.

As a newly appointed squad leader, Lu Zhao was destined to be unable to establish authority or fully control the squad in a short period of time.

But if you hold the power of life and death, everything will be different.

The downside is that it will reduce the combat effectiveness of the Ninth Detachment.

If possible, Lu Zhao really didn't want to let eighty second-tier superhumans leave the team, as it would be like dislocating an arm from the Ninth Squad.

Even if we hire new people, it will take at least half a year to recover.

Lei Lang left, and then the emergency response team leader came in.

Lu Lin, the third emergency squadron leader, is a second-class sergeant major, 39 years old, with 132 points in life development, having broken through three barriers. He possesses a powerful earth-type supernatural ability with the characteristic of being able to burrow underground, enabling him to quickly provide support and carry out rescue operations in complex terrain.

Lu Zhao offered him the condition of breaking through four levels in two years, and also provided additional resources.

In terms of combat effectiveness, Lu Lin is not as good as Lei Lang, but he is particularly important in reducing the casualty rate of the detachment.

Lu Lin did not refuse, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Chief Lu. I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

On March 17th, Lu Zhao spoke with a squad leader of the mobile brigade.

Their strength was clearly much weaker, and they were generally only breaking through the first or second level.

Rather than focusing on life development, Lu Zhao was more concerned with their supernatural abilities and their leadership and management skills at the class level.

Those who have been repeatedly recognized as outstanding class collectives will be retained, while Lu Zhao will have another option if his service age is too old.

"Comrade Ruan Yifei, your service age has reached ten years, and your life development is only eighty-five points. I'm sorry you don't meet the standard for staying in the team."

Ruan Yifei had anticipated this, and said with a rather frank smile, "My talent isn't that great, so it's time for me to leave the team."

Lu Zhao asked, "What kind of unit do you want to work for after you leave the military?"

"I haven't thought it through yet." Ruan Yifei scratched his head. "To be honest, after being in the military for so long, I don't know which unit outside is better. Could you recommend one for me, Commander Lu?"

Lu Zhao's smile grew even more amiable as he asked, "I have a good opportunity for you to become a powerful deputy official. Would you be interested?"

Ruan Yifei has relatively low talent for life development, giving him no advantage over others. However, he has one resume that Lu Zhao values ​​highly: he was the class leader of the advanced and outstanding collective for eight consecutive years.

He has also participated in the training of new recruits on numerous occasions, making him a talent capable of nurturing new members.

From the perspective of the brigade headquarters, such a person should be kept on a special case basis, but Lu Zhao felt that the Federation's border defense needed him more.

Anyway, the Cangwu Special Counter-Strike Detachment is full of talented people, and it doesn't need Ruan Yifei.

Lu Zhao then explained the situation at Ant Ridge, a regimental-level unit in a border region that had a great deal of autonomy and did not obey local orders.

In terms of salary alone, Ruan Yifei doesn't need to consider it at all. After all, he came from the special counter-terrorism unit; it's impossible for him to go to a small place to do border defense work.

Ruan Yifei asked, "Where did Chief Lu come from?"

Lu Zhao nodded and said, "I was promoted from there at the beginning of the year."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Yifei agreed without hesitation.

"I am willing to defend the border for my country!"

Putting aside the issue of being persuaded to leave, in the eyes of many soldiers in the Special Countermeasures Detachment, Lu Laohu was never someone with connections, but a hero who had fought his way out of the border region.

His deeds had long been known throughout the special operations forces, and his speech on the anniversary of the Great Patriotic War was also required to be promoted by the military propaganda department.

Recently, there have been rumors that the chief of the Nankaido region is a relative of Lu Zhao.

Ruan Yifei was very self-aware; with his abilities, it would be difficult for him to make a name for himself outside, so he might as well follow Lu Zhao.

If Lu Zhao gains power later, I will also rise to prominence along with him.

As for Captain Cao, all he could say was sorry.

In terms of merit, Chief Lu has a first-class merit; in terms of deeds, he is a hero in the propaganda field; in terms of connections, he can get in touch with the chief of the political bureau; and in terms of appearance, he is completely defeated.

If we can't win, we should just surrender sooner rather than later.

(End of this chapter)