Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

"Ping An, the central leaders have personally reviewed all the reports you submitted despite their busy schedules—not only the management documents and materials on education, medicine, laws and regulations, but also your complete set of ideas on informationized warfare, mechanized coordination, and the rapid formation of multi-service combined arms forces."

Old Xu paused for a moment: "The commanders believe that your approach is not only correct, but also urgent. The situation waits for no one. We need a force that can set an example, fight tough battles, and represent the future direction of the military. Fortunately, we already have the foundation of driving schools and tank training courses, as well as the Sixth Brigade as our backbone."

"Therefore, the appointment has been made. You are appointed as the commander of the newly formed First Armored Division of the Chinese People's Liberation Army."

The original 6th Independent Brigade was incorporated into this division as its core force. In addition, the Central Committee will select six fully equipped infantry regiments, totaling approximately 11,000 men, from the training corps and assign them to your unit for training and organization.

"The Central Military Commission has only one requirement: to achieve combat capability as soon as possible." Old Xu emphasized.

"The military region commander hinted that 'there might be an opportunity to demonstrate our abilities soon.' We both understand what that opportunity entails."

"With a major battle looming, this new unit will likely be deployed in the most critical areas to fight tough battles."

Zhao Ping'an felt a surge of heat rush from the bottom of his heart to the top of his head.

He took a few deep breaths to calm his turbulent emotions.

This is not just a promotion, but also a sign of trust.

"I understand, Lao Xu," Zhao Ping'an replied in a deep voice. "Please convey to the Central Committee that Zhao Ping'an guarantees the mission will be completed!"

That night, the headquarters of the Sixth Brigade was brightly lit.

Deputy brigade commanders Zhao Dongliang and Zhou Liang, along with main battalion commanders Wang Dashan, Wang Dahai, and Liu Dazhu, were urgently summoned.

When Zhao Ping'an announced the appointment and mission, the room was silent at first, then erupted into low, excited murmurs.

"Armored Division! We're about to become the first real armored unit in the entire army!" Wang Dashan clenched his fists.

"Six regiments! Add that to our existing forces, and that's over ten thousand!" Zhou Liang calculated quickly. "Now we've truly become the main force among the main forces!"

Zhao Ping'an raised his hand to silence the murmurs and walked to the blackboard in the room. He picked up the chalk.

"Comrades, as excited as we are, the pressure is even greater. We are not building a force that simply has a lot of tanks, but a completely new force that is multi-service combined, highly mechanized, and possesses basic information warfare capabilities."

Zhao Ping'an's gaze swept over every familiar face: "My plan is to divide the newly formed First Armored Division into three main combat modules, or rather, three 'brigade-level combat teams'."

"First, the Heavy Assault Brigade." Zhao Ping'an wrote the word "Heavy" on the blackboard.

"Its main role is to attack and assault; it is our hammer to smash the enemy. I will contact them, and they will provide a light armored vehicle soon. This unit is centered around a Type 59 medium tank battalion, equipped with a mechanized infantry battalion mounted on wheeled armored vehicles, and a 155mm heavy howitzer battalion."

The mission is singular: to launch a frontal assault in key areas, create a breach, and destroy the enemy's core resistance hub.

"Second, the mechanized mobile brigade." He drew another blue arc, "responsible for flank deployment and stabilizing the front line. It will use a large number of trucks and armored personnel carriers as its main vehicles, carrying infantry and 122mm howitzer battalions. Its mission is to quickly sweep to both flanks after the heavy brigade opens a breach, expand the gains, and be responsible for the mobile defense of the main front, quickly plugging any gaps."

"Third, the light motorized infantry brigade." This time it was a green, meandering line. "This is our light cavalry and rapid reaction force. It is fully motorized using jeeps and light trucks, and equipped with a large number of 107mm rocket launchers, mortars, and man-portable anti-tank weapons."

They need to have the strongest off-road and cross-country capabilities, responsible for operations in complex mountain and hilly terrain, long-range raids, and rapid support and retaliation in battlefield firefighting.

The room fell silent. Zhao Dongliang, Zhou Liang, and other veterans listened to the completely unfamiliar organizational structure and tactical concepts, their brows furrowed in deep thought.

Based on their experience, they instinctively sensed the immense power contained in this style of play, but also felt an unprecedented complexity and challenge.

"Commander," Zhou Liang spoke first, voicing everyone's doubts, "This... is completely different from our previous method of concentrating forces and coordinating infantry and artillery attacks."

How can tanks, armored vehicles, trucks, and artillery be "integrated" as you described, without creating chaos?

"Good question." Zhao Ping'an knew that the real challenge had begun. These battle-hardened commanders were the foundation upon which he would turn the blueprint into reality, but first, he had to let them "see" the blueprint.

"This is the core problem we need to solve next—command, coordination, and logistical support—all of which need to be rebuilt from scratch and new standards established. This is the information-based warfare we experimented with in Jinan before..."

Zhao Ping'an then began to explain the initial concept in detail: not only should the division command establish a staff office and a command and communication center, but each brigade should also establish an integrated command and communication center, connecting tank, infantry, and artillery command posts through a radio network; standardized coordination signals and contingency plans should be established; and logistical support should be modularized and integrated...

The meeting continued until dawn.

Ultimately, despite their deep doubts, they trusted Zhao Ping'an's long-standing record of miracles.

Having witnessed the power of the new equipment firsthand, everyone unanimously agreed to report the plan to their superiors and immediately begin preliminary preparations.

The plan was delivered to the Central Military Commission as quickly as possible. To Zhao Ping'an's surprise, the approval came extremely quickly, almost entirely approving the plan and providing even greater support.

—The Central Military Commission specially selected more than 100 experienced and quick-thinking battalion and company-level commanders and outstanding political instructors from various field armies and military regions to come to the newly formed 1st Armored Division for "learning and exchange, and to assist in the training work".

The arrival of this group of veteran officers was like a boulder thrown into a pond, creating huge ripples.

The downside is obvious: these people are not just soldiers who blindly carry out orders.

Each of them has fought their way up, and they have their own philosophy of leading troops, tactical understanding, and even arrogance.

Questions arose one after another regarding Zhao Ping'an's unprecedented organizational structure and tactics.

"Commander Zhao, concentrating the tanks for use is indeed very powerful, but what if they get targeted by enemy artillery fire? Won't the losses be too great?"

"With such a detailed division of labor among the three brigades, and with the situation on the battlefield changing rapidly, will there be enough time to transfer command? Won't they end up fighting independently?"

"Relying entirely on radio for communication? What if it gets jammed or malfunctions? Wouldn't the troops be blind?"

"Logistics is so complicated—how can we guarantee supplies of fuel, ammunition, and spare parts? This isn't like the old days with millet and rifles!"

Almost every tactical maneuver was met with sharp questions from seasoned commanders.

Zhao Ping'an had to expend enormous energy holding one tactical seminar and sand table exercise after another, starting from the most basic principles of mechanized warfare.

Using mature military theories and battle examples from later generations, combined with the tangible Type 59 tanks, Dongfeng trucks, and radio equipment at hand, we gradually persuaded and unified their thinking.

But the benefits are equally enormous: when these experienced commanders understand the core logic of new tactics, the energy they unleash is astonishing.

They are no longer passive recipients, but active improvers and implementers.

"Commander, I think the alternating cover you mentioned when tanks lead infantry assaults can be refined into three standard formations to adapt to different terrains."

"Can we establish more detailed battlefield discipline regarding radio silence and the timing of its activation?"

"I have some thoughts on the route selection and defense of the logistics convoy following the assault troops..."

"Political mobilization work must also keep up. We need to make everyone understand why we are fighting this way and how to cooperate, so as to eliminate any unfamiliarity or fear of the new equipment."

They began to proactively help Zhao Ping'an refine the regulations, develop training outlines, and solve numerous specific problems that arose during the integration process.

With the addition of this group of "high-level trainees" who also served as "teaching assistants," the training process, though fraught with debate and setbacks, was able to proceed smoothly.

With a clear direction, progress is steadily advancing.