Chapter 471: An adult has come home

Regiment Commander!

Regiment Commander!

Political Commissar!

Political Commissar Tan!

Seeing the smiling former Special Third Regiment commanders Wang Zhongxi and Tan Yuanzhou step down from the vehicle, the soldiers' emotions instantly spiraled out of control, and the unit grew restless.

Ma Qing'an, He Zhen Tao, and several other company commanders immediately broke into a jog to salute.

Regiment Commander, Political Commissar, how are you? We've missed you so much!

Good, good, we're doing pretty well.

Wang Zhongxi's distinctive, highly recognizable Jiangcheng accent made everyone who hadn't seen him in a while feel extremely warm.

Tan Yuanzhou, a man known for his deep composure, also felt a pang in his nose upon seeing this group of old subordinates.

It's only been three or four months, yet for some reason it feels like ten or more years have passed.

Come on, let's handle the important things first; we still need to go over and check the neighboring place later.

Okay, okay, okay!

Ma Qing'an and the others immediately stepped to the side.

Wang Zhongxi and Tan Yuanzhou walked to the front of the ranks, their eyes locked on Lu Yang.

Lu Yang held a notebook in one hand, raised the other firmly, chest out, and saluted: 'Regiment Commander, Political Commissar!'

Wang Zhongxi glanced at his captain's insignia on the shoulder, smiled, and said, 'I wouldn't have guessed, kid—you've been doing pretty well since you got here; they say in the blink of an eye an old hen turns into a duck, your promotion speed is comparable to riding a rocket!'

Lu Yang replied humbly, 'Regiment Commander, you laid a solid foundation for me; without the Special Third Regiment's nurturing, I wouldn't be where I am today.'

Tan Yuanzhou laughed: 'Kid, you certainly now have the bearing of a commander; that little official tone you've put on is flawless.'

Every word is heartfelt!

I heard that during the evaluation you were quite formidable; you put the troops I brought through a rough time—is that true?

Wang Zhongxi's tone suddenly turned stern, as if he were about to confront them over wrongdoing.

Seeing this, the soldiers below felt their hearts almost melt.

After arriving here, they were assigned to a temporary unit for training.

In the eyes of those navy veterans, especially the elite units, their presence was no less than that of newly enlisted raw recruits.

Furthermore, with no foundation whatsoever, they were always like rootless duckweed—unsupported—and everyone felt uncertain.

Now, finally someone has come to back them up—and it's someone they know well.

Kang Changyi was so moved he wanted to cry: 'The family's adult has come—finally an adult has come! Quickly curse him a couple times; if that doesn't work, kick him twice, kick his butt hard!'

Facing the old regiment commander's confrontation, Lu Yang directly denied any involvement of the Third Company: 'No, impossible, it simply doesn't exist!'

Wang Zhongxi snorted coldly: 'But I heard that this is the case.'

'Chief, you must have misheard; I'm a soldier of the Special Third Regiment—how could I possibly make things difficult for my own comrades?'

'Even if it were true, it would absolutely be for everyone's benefit—to temper their military will, prevent them from slacking in the new environment, and avoid bringing disgrace to our regiment.'

Kang Changyi clenched his fists underground, silently shouting: 'He's lying, he's lying—don't believe the regiment commander!'

Wang Zhongxi suddenly burst out laughing: 'Kid, you've really changed—your skin is thicker than a city wall corner; even handgun bullets might not pierce it!'

Tan Yuanzhou teased: 'Not just handgun bullets—I think even specially made armor-piercing rounds would struggle to penetrate; I take back my earlier words—you're not just like a commander, you are a qualified commander!'

Lu Yang puffed out his chest: 'Thank you, Chief, for the praise; I will continue to strive!'

Wang Zhongxi patted his arm and asked: 'Can we say a few words quickly? It won't take long.'

Lu Yang immediately stepped back half a step to make room for him.

Wang Zhongxi smiled at the crowd: 'It's been a while—have you been slacking off in training?'

The crowd shouted in unison: 'No!'

Wang Zhongxi nodded: 'A soldier must never forget his identity wherever he goes; whether in the army or navy, wearing a uniform for a day means standing guard for a day.'

'Soon, you'll be divided into units; I know you're all nervous and worried about what the future holds.'

'Don't be afraid, don't panic, keep a calm mind; I believe the soldiers who come out of our Special Third Regiment are all top-notch!'

Applause rang out across the scene, everyone clapping vigorously.

The old regiment commander's words gave them great spiritual encouragement, helping to ease their uneasy feelings.

Wang Zhongxi glanced at Tan Yuanzhou, signaling him to say a few words too; Tan Yuanzhou stepped forward.

'I know that over the past few months you've had a tough time adapting—it's been arduous.'

'From land to sea; from never having swum to now having to swim one or two kilometers in the ocean; it's all starting from scratch, starting over.'

'As the old saying goes, 'All beginnings are hard'; as long as you take the first step, you've already succeeded halfway.'

'Still that same saying: the soldiers who come out of our Special Third Regiment are each top-notch, capable of standing on their own; no matter what unit or post you're assigned to next, I believe you'll all perform excellently.'

'I have confidence in you; do you have confidence?'

'Yes!'

Everyone raised their arms and shouted, extremely excited.

Seeing the soldiers below brimming with vigor, Wang Zhongxi and Tan Yuanzhou also smiled.

At that moment, they were transferred to the Third Brigade to serve as regiment cadres, while also cooperating to complete the troop allocation work.

In the future, a detachment of veteran soldiers from the Special Third Regiment will return under their command; Lu Yang and the others, although nominally under them, will actually take orders directly from the brigade commander.

This is what is called a brigade-affiliated independent unit, with administrative authority equal to other regiment-level units, enjoying more resource allocation and privileges; essentially, it means the same as the former division reconnaissance unit.

As for why it's placed under their regiment's name, it's likely to conceal things; as for the exact reason, they don't know.

Lu Yang also at this moment opened the roster and shouted loudly: 'Now we begin troop allocation; when your name is called, go to the corresponding vehicle!'

'Zhang San!'

Arrived!

Car 4!

Li Si!

Arrived!

Car 3!

Wang Erma!

Arrived......

People kept being called by name and went to the corresponding vehicles.

As the ranks grew emptier, those who hadn't been called couldn't help feeling anxious.

Soon, only about twenty people remained on the scene, all of them elite soldiers from the 456th Company.

Lu Yang stopped roll call, simply closed the roster, gathered the remaining troops, and quickly formed them up.

His gaze swept over Zhou Kaidong, Kang Changyi, LiMin, Chen Panpan, Liu Ziqiang, Sun Chen, and QiDelong in turn.

Those whose names weren't called, all get on Car 1 with me!

He Zhen Tao, Ma Qing'an, also get on Car 1......

Lu Yang led the people onto the vehicle, then greeted Wang Zhongxi and Tan Yuanzhou on the other two cars, whereupon the driver started the engine.

The vehicle slowly drove out of the gate of Hai Training Base Three, bidding farewell to the 'transfer station' where they had lived for over three months; every soldier's feelings were complex.

There was anticipation, tension, and unease; but recalling what the Regiment Commander and Political Commissar had said earlier, everyone felt a bit more reassured.

At the red‑light intersection ahead, the several vehicles in front turned right one after another; only Car 1 stopped to wait, then carried everyone onward.

What's the situation? Not going the same way?

Won't this be splitting up too early?

Lu Yang, where exactly is this car taking us?

Brother Yang, what kind of unit will we be assigned to—infantry, artillery, or some kind of aviation?

Lu Yang gazed at the beautiful coastline outside, gave a mysterious smile: 'Don't rush; once we get there you'll know!'