Chapter 20: A Troop Born to Be Surrounded!
“Let me introduce myself. Zhao Jian Jun, commander of the 1st Regiment, 3rd Division, 15th Airborne Army!”
“Chen Jin Chao comrade, I apologize for the intrusion.”
As a broad-shouldered, round-bellied man stood before Chen Jin Chao with a goofy smile, it wasn't the legendary designation “15th Army” that surprised him, but rather their… audacity?
At his feet were three old hens, two Muscovy ducks, and a pile of vegetables that looked like they had just been pulled from the mud.
He held in his arms a ridiculously adorable puppy.
Just a month old, the timid little thing still had a military dog unit vest draped over its tiny body.
This was… a gift?
This spectacle immediately reminded Chen Jin Chao of the time Zhong Xian Chao… brought nothing.
And this wasn’t the most special part. This Zhao Tuan Chang, who looked like he could stand eight feet tall with a tiger-like head, round eyes, and a face like polished iron, was incredibly meticulous.
He didn't come straight to Harbin Institute of Technology to find Chen Jin Chao.
He first sent a formal request letter to the school, obtained permission, and then brought a bunch of local products with him.
Then, he inquired at the teaching office, then the student union, then the professor's office, circling around before finally finding Chen Jin Chao.
It was like a small knowledge point about presenting a banner.
Whether for a doctor, or for the men in blue, the best way to present a banner is always to inquire with the leadership department first, then inquire with each department, and finally find the person, present the banner, take a picture, and shake hands...
Anyway, almost the entire school knew that the military had come, bringing gifts and seeking help, to find Chen Jin Chao, the one with the skills.
How could this not inflate one's vanity?
No, it was a feeling of immense respect.
Detailed, truly detailed!
“Please come in, please come in.”
Chen Jin Chao's skilled way of holding the puppy in his arms startled Zhao Jian Jun.
Did I say that's a gift too?
So skilled?
No ceremony at all?
But he was only startled for a moment, quickly returning to normal.
He came for Chen Jin Chao, and Chen Jin Chao receiving the gifts was the most important thing. It meant the gifts were well-received, and the following things would be easier to talk about.
The group entered the room, tea was brewed, and guests were entertained.
Chen Jin Chao had assumed Zhao Jian Jun would get straight to the point and state his request.
But instead, Zhao Jian Jun raised his hand and delivered a compliment.
“Jin Chao comrade, I've heard so much about you.”
“The successful development of the new rocket launcher has catapulted our country's rocket launcher capabilities to the top of the world!”
“This level of military research and development is truly beyond many academicians!”
“I, Zhao Jian Jun, am a rough man, not good with words, but I know that this will save many of our brothers. Today, I offer tea instead of alcohol, a toast to you!”
“I’m ashamed, Zhao Ge.” Chen Jin Chao sipped his tea, still unaware of what Zhao Jian Jun was truly up to.
“Yes, although I'm a few years older, you can call me Zhao Ge! I'll call you Jin Chao, it's less formal.”
Zhao Jian Jun readily took the bait, making Chen Jin Chao feel a bit overwhelmed.
A gift offered to a person must have a purpose behind it.
He was also afraid of asking for too much, something beyond his capabilities.
“I'm undeserving of your praise, Zhao Ge. What brings you here today?”
“Oh, you know how it is, my brain is elsewhere. Jin Chao, do you know anything about the airborne troops?”
Airborne troops?
Chen Jin Chao knew all about it.
The Airborne Army, the only one in our country, was the 15th Army, and the only one to collectively become a group army.
When it comes to the 15th Army, most people may be unfamiliar, but when it comes to the name "Thousand Year Army", they might have heard of it.
It was this very unit that achieved glorious renown during the Battle of Shangganling, fought on a mere two kilometers of terrain where mountaintops had been shaved two meters.
Rapid support, rapid response, special operations.
Risk-taking rescues, blind jumps during earthquakes.
All were carried out by this very unit.
Chen Jin Chao not only knew about the past of airborne troops, but he also knew that after the military reforms in the future, this mighty unit would be upgraded and expanded, renamed the “Rapid Response Support Force,” able to deploy strategically around the clock, anywhere they were needed.
To put it simply, among all the world's powerful nations, airborne divisions have always been the most elite and fierce troops.
If, in the future, Taiwan was to be reclaimed, airborne troops would definitely be in the first wave of combat.
To put it another way, airborne troops, from their initial single-branch beginnings, have developed into a multi-branch combined unit, encompassing more than 20 professional branches, including artillery, aviation, missile, special forces, reconnaissance, chemical defense, and more.
In a way, they were the precursor to the future concept of “combined brigades”.
“You know so much about the airborne troops?!”
As Chen Jin Chao rattled off the airborne troops' history and background, Zhao Jian Jun was stunned.
Most people, upon hearing “airborne troops,” only think of paratroopers.
He didn't expect Chen Jin Chao to understand the definition and concept of airborne troops so thoroughly.
Of course, he understood deeply. Chen Jin Chao, who had dedicated his life to the country in his previous life, had seen it all.
Moreover, he still remembered the teachings of his master from his previous life - "Do good military research, make sure you understand the role and needs of each branch, just like a doctor treating an illness, you need to prescribe the right medicine to increase combat effectiveness!"
“I admire the airborne troops. They are a troop born to be surrounded.”
“Born to be surrounded… hahaha, what a great way to describe airborne troops!”
The American drama *Band of Brothers* hadn’t aired yet. Chen Jin Chao’s simple statement, “Born to be surrounded,” had Zhao Jian Jun hard-pressed for three minutes, pondering it repeatedly, before the passion surged from his chest to his throat, and he shouted in agreement.
It was like this plain, simple statement, carrying a hint of sadness, yet revealing a sense of grandeur.
Suddenly, Zhao Jian Jun felt he had found the right person!
A military researcher who could summarize the characteristics of airborne troops with such precision, surely had researched and pondered the equipment of this branch in his daily life.
He couldn't wait to go downstairs to get some wine and drink three glasses with Chen Jin Chao.
This was a kindred spirit! Those few simple words captured the hardship and sorrow of the airborne troops.
“To be honest, Jin Chao Lao Di.”
“I came here today to ask for your help.”
“I want you to help us modify our equipment, improve our combat effectiveness!”
........
Just as Zhao Jian Jun finally revealed his true purpose, at a certain military dog unit in the "Chicken Frame" Military Region.
A sobbing dog trainer stood before the unit instructor, whimpering pitifully.
“Wah, wah, Instructor, the puppy I just chose... was taken by Zhao Tuan Chang again...”
Ah?!
Now they’re not stealing anymore, but robbing?
The instructor was enraged: “That bastard Zhao Jian Jun, how many times this year has it happened?!”
...............