Chapter 480: On What Grounds Is Lu Yang the Company Commander

"Everyone, put on your hats, fasten your belts, assemble on the field!"

A whistle, accompanied by the duty officer's shout, sounded downstairs.

Just after dinner, returning to the barracks to tidy up, the soldiers making their beds quickly grabbed their belts, put on their hats, and rushed out to assemble.

Soon, a unit of about 150 people, including Logistics and the Cook Squad, appeared neatly on the open ground.

Among them, roughly half were former soldiers of the Special Third Regiment, mainly from the Sixth Company, Seventh Company, and also the Third Company.

The rest were promising troops drawn from other Sea Training Bases, most of whom were veterans beyond Phase II.

In other words, any individual drawn from this unit could serve as a Platoon Leader in a regular battalion—a backbone elite soldier.

After waiting about two minutes with no senior officer stepping forward to speak, a slight stir arose among the troops.

After waiting a bit longer, even Ma Qing'an, Gao Feng, and several company commanders furrowed their brows, unable to figure out the situation.

"Lu Yang, what's going on? No one showing up?"

"No one's here, why blow the whistle? Who on earth is our Battalion Commander?"

"Or are we supposed to self‑manage and self‑train, just pick some random projects to practice?"

"Shh......"

Lu Yang signaled everyone to be silent.

He had already caught sight of a figure approaching under a distant streetlamp.

As the person drew nearer, everyone noticed the Colonel rank insignia on his shoulder and immediately stood up straight.

The Colonel, clutching a notebook, stepped to the front of the formation, smiled, and saluted the group: "Let me introduce myself—I'm Xiong Yao, Chief of Staff of the Third Brigade!"

"What the hell??!"

Seeing the face clearly, Kang Changyi slammed his chin hard onto the ground.

He never imagined in his dreams that his uncle would actually come from the Army all the way here.

It's over—no good days ahead anymore.

Ma Qing'an, Gao Feng and the others wore equally stunned expressions.

They had only heard that Chief Xiong of the Division was being transferred, never expecting him to become their superior.

Back then, he had gone to great lengths trying to recruit Lu Yang into the Zhencha Daitui, and fate had turned against him.

But on reflection, having an Army Chief of Staff oversee these troops transferred from the Army makes sense.

Xiong Yao's gaze swept the crowd—surprise, bewilderment, and some indifference.

He lingered briefly on Kang Changyi's utterly shocked face before continuing.

"Some of you know me, some don't—doesn't matter; from now on we'll work together, tackle challenge after challenge, and complete mission after mission!"

"Next, I'll briefly explain the nature and composition of our unit."

"I'm pleased to inform you that your unit differs from any known domestic team."

"You are not a regular force, nor a traditional reconnaissance assault; you are a Quick Reaction Force."

At that moment, the company commanders, led by Ma Qing'an, all turned pale.

These commanders, graduates of the formal military academy, naturally understood what a Quick Reaction Force meant.

Old Mi's dragoons are a proper tri‑mode Quick Reaction Force; established Western powers also have their own quick‑reaction units, but domestically none exist yet.

However, most rank‑and‑file soldiers were clueless, not knowing what kind of unit this was, only assuming it must be impressive.

Xiong Yao gave a brief explanation of what a Quick Reaction Force is and its origin: "In short, it's a team positioned between Special Operations and reconnaissance—capable of backing special missions with support, and also able to conduct small‑scale battles."

"It's like a fire alarm—run to wherever there's fire; for a small blaze you bring a fire extinguisher, for a big blaze you bring a high‑pressure water cannon and a fire ladder."

With that explanation, everyone understood, feeling a modest thrill inside.

Previously, they had been curious about what tier they'd be assigned to after the assessment.

From the briefing, this seemed to be a unit surpassing reconnaissance, even able to liaise with Special Operations.

Thus it seemed a fitting reward for these Army elites who traveled thousands of miles here and endured over three months of hardship at the Sea Training Base.

Xiong Yao poured cold water: "Don't get ahead of yourselves. So far you're only a pilot; whether you can become a full unit is still uncertain. If you can't meet expectations, sorry..."

Xiong Yao said no more, but everyone knew the consequences of failing the mission would be severe.

Ma Qing'an suddenly spoke: "Chief of Staff, we are confident we can succeed!"

Someone led, and then everyone shouted together: "We are confident we can succeed!"

Xiong Yao sneered: "Confidence isn't shouted, it's demonstrated. You have only three months; three months from now, your training will be tested in the early‑next‑year exercises."

"Reliable intel says the Sea Night Tiger Reconnaissance Battalion of the Second Brigade will also take part, and they've already issued a tough warning to give you a taste of what we can do."

"Who's afraid of whom!"

"Damn Sea Night Tiger, they'd be better off turned into a night pot!"

"A pack of defeated subordinates, stray dogs, dare to bark madly before us!"

The crowd reacted fiercely, united in shared hostility.

It was expected; arriving only to have the camp seized, and being told to go back where they came from.

Even though Lu Yang eventually forced those people out with a hard push, it didn't mean they swallowed their resentment.

Literature has no first, martial arts no second; among soldiers, mutual rivalry and dissent are the norm.

Moreover, the ones bragging were the Sea Night Tiger, who already had past grievances with them.

If this isn't settled in the exercises, pulling out all their tiger fangs, no one could swallow that grievance!

Xiong Yao watched, nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, I like your fearless, daring spirit! But I must tell you honestly, at your current level there's still a sizable gap between you and them."

"If you want to avoid being blown apart in the exercises, to erase past shame and claim victory and fame, you must seize these three months!"

"No more words—now I announce personnel assignments; currently there are three companies under the Chief of Staff's dispatch, and I am your sole superior."

"This project remains highly classified; externally you may only say you're a battalion's soldiers attached to the Third Regiment; the Third Regiment Commander is Wang Zhongxi, Political Commissar is Tan Yuanzhou."

In the unit, the veterans of the Special Third Regiment couldn't help but give a knowing smile.

Whether intentionally or not, they were first assigned to the Sea Training Third Battalion.

Then came the Third Brigade, and now they are attached under the Third Regiment's commander, which gives them a rare sense of familiarity in this unfamiliar place.

"First Company Commander Ma Qing'an, Instructor Pan Yuan."

"Yes!"

The two have been long-time partners; their tacit understanding needs no explanation.

"Second Company Commander Gao Feng, Instructor He Zhen Tao."

"Yes!"

Gao Feng and He Zhen Tao have also collaborated many times in the New Recruit Company, and they are quite familiar with each other.

"Third Company Commander, Lu Yang..."

"Yes!"

Lu Yang responded, and the scene fell silent.

Company Commander?

Shouldn't it be Deputy Company Commander?

How can they still be promoted by skipping ranks? Does that make sense?

Kang Changyi protested loudly in his mind: I refuse, I just refuse!