Chapter 9: Precious Wealth

The first to step onto the podium was the oldest soldier among all the instructors, less than 170 centimeters tall. Possibly due to malnutrition in his youth, he stood there so thin he looked like a straight utility pole. The faded green military uniform looked loose and loose, as if he were draped in a pale green sack. Deep wrinkles covered his entire face, as if he wore a mournful expression. But when he saluted General Zheng Xun and stood on the podium, his gaze swept downward, a sharpness and alertness far beyond that of an elderly person, instantly stabbing everyone's eyes.

"This is Instructor Li Chongjie, former commander of the 2nd Battalion, 239th Regiment, 80th Division, 27th Army, 9th Column of East China. He is a true veteran revolutionary who participated in the Long March, fought the Three Years of the Liberation War, and participated in the Korean War. His greatest skill was positional sniper warfare. Nicknamed 'Steel Nail,' after retiring from the military, I invited him to serve as our school's military instructor. ”

Zheng Xun said, "Whether it was the Long March, the War of Resistance Against Japan, the War of Liberation, or the entire four years of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, our army always defeated the strong with the weak. Before the war even began, we lost air superiority and artillery coverage. Our soldiers, lacking enough food and clothing, had to endure relentless enemy bombardment and group artillery bombardment. Even worse, they lacked sufficient ammunition and had to survive by supporting the war through war. I invited Instructor Li Chongjie to the school not to teach you how to remember hardship and sweetness, but to teach you how to survive on a battlefield repeatedly covered by dense enemy fire! I can confidently say that if you can really learn half of Instructor Li's war experience, your chances of surviving on the battlefield will increase by at least thirty percent! ”

Li Chongjie saluted everyone with a standard military salute. This veteran, who had lived through more than half a century and endured the harshest World War II, said casually, "I'm actually quite lucky to have survived. Once, a shell landed less than a meter beside me, but it didn't explode. It really scared me out of my wits." Our army's most common method against the enemy's superior firepower at the time was to dig tunnels and bunkers, using various terrains to disrupt the enemy. During the Korean War, we invented multifunctional underground bunkers that not only effectively defended against large-caliber enemy artillery but also countered their poison gas shells. Even if the American invaders seize positions, we can always launch counterattacks from unexpected places. As your instructor, what I want to teach you is how to dig the most suitable bunkers and fortifications in the shortest possible time, based on the local terrain and the comparison of enemy and friendly firepower! ”

After Li Chongjie stepped down from the podium, another elderly soldier with white hair quietly stepped forward. Like Li Chongjie, he bore the unique marks of soldiers of that era. He was short in stature and somewhat thin due to malnutrition. He was likely injured on the harsh battlefield and left lasting effects. He limped up to the stage, and when he raised his right hand in salute, his palm trembled continuously. He used great strength to barely lift his palm to his temple.

"This is Instructor Wang De, a former soldier of the 3rd Company, 240th Regiment, 81st Division, 27th Army. He is also the only instructor here without an officer position."

At this point, Zheng Xun's voice suddenly grew low. After a long pause, he finally said in a low voice, "Although Wang De was just an ordinary soldier when he retired, he was a true combat hero!" ”

Wang De closed his eyes, as if recalling the brutal wars he had endured in his mind. Suddenly, bean-sized tears streaked across his weathered face. His lips trembled for a long time before he hoarsely said, "Our Third Company has fought on the battlefield down to less than two platoons, but the company commander still requested from higher command to take on the task of attacking three enemy fire points." We were attacked from three directions: they had rifles, carbines, light and heavy machine guns, as well as Type 90 rocket launchers and Type 60 mortars. Between these three fire points, a tank roamed back and forth for support. When attacking the next fire point and rushing toward the second, the company commander and company instructor fell under enemy heavy machine guns. Within half a minute, the deputy instructor also fell, and several platoon leaders fell......

At this point, the audience fell silent. Zhan Xiage, a group born in peacetime, looked at this tearful veteran soldier, and in him, they could already faintly smell the smoke of that brutal war nearly half a century ago.

Yajie'er quickly walked up to the podium, took a white handkerchief from her pocket, and helped Wang De wipe away the tears at the corner of his eyes. After thanking Yajie'er, Wang De continued with trembling lips: "When we captured the second fire point, only sixteen people remained in the entire company, but under the leadership of deputy platoon leader Ma Rizhen, we charged toward the third point again." When the battalion commander led the follow-up troops over, I was the one reporting that our Third Company had completed the combat mission. ...... I'm the only one left in the company! ”

"As your instructor, what I can teach you is how to effectively organize attack echelons on the battlefield when surrounded on three sides, suppressing and breaking through the enemy's firepower blockade!" Wang De took a deep breath and said, "Kids, you all need to study hard. This is all the experience those martyrs earned with their blood!" ”

The third to step onto the podium was the last elderly soldier with white hair. Unlike the previous two instructors, Shi was nearly seventy years old but still agile. Judging by his gait, one could feel the explosive power within him.

"This is Instructor Du Gende, deputy squad leader of the 6th Squad, 8th Company, 3rd Battalion, 560th Regiment, 187th Division, 63rd Army of the Chinese Volunteer Army. He participated in the Battle of Gloucester, known as the 'Royal Army's Double Badge Battalion,' which was completely annihilated by Britain during the Korean War. At that time, Instructor Du Gande's company was responsible for sniping along the enemy's route for reinforcements. They repelled seven enemy charges, leaving only Instructor Du Gande on the position. Using grenades, demolition tubes, and other weapons, he repelled five enemy attacks, killing or wounding more than thirty enemies, destroyed one vehicle and one tank, and held the position for five hours! ”

No matter who hears such a battle for the first time, it must be false if they don't gasp! The battle heroes portrayed in Hollywood blockbusters in the U.S. pale in comparison to a real combat hero like Dugand.

Du Gande said: "As your instructor, what I can teach you is how, on a battlefield where you are outnumbered and cannot retreat, you can use various terrains—including shell casings from enemy shells—to perform military evasion maneuvers. How to identify the point of a shell in the shortest time by hearing enemy gunfire or artillery fire. More importantly, I want to teach you how, on a battlefield where you are outnumbered, not only do you not retreat, but also exploit gaps in the coordination between the enemy's mechanized and infantry units to advance. Only by advancing can you have room to retreat and greater room to maneuver. ”

Besides these veteran instructors, there were also soldiers like Yang Huanhong who had fought in the Vietnam War, combat instructors and battlefield psychology analysts who had never been on any battlefield. What surprised Zhanxiage most was that Captain Yajie'er, who took care of him carefully in the hospital, was not only the school's health doctor but also a junior battlefield medical instructor.

Twelve full-time instructors, each with their own strengths, plus thirty-six assistant instructors, formed the main framework of the Fifth Special Forces Elite Training School's systematic military training. One by one, they walked to the podium, where General Zheng Xun introduced their experiences and specialties to the trainees below.

These twelve instructors together formed an encyclopedia covering the entire field of warfare!