Chapter 1313 A Reprimand?

"Director Wang (Section Chief Li), you're too kind."

Liang Xing and Gao He shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with the greeters, but their eyes quickly swept over the officers of other units on the platform, especially lingering for a moment on the group of senior colonels from the 3rd Group Army next to Xu Zhigang.

The other trainees getting off the bus also curiously observed the crowd waiting to pick them up, trying to discern their future destination from those unfamiliar faces and epaulets.

The officers from various units on the platform were also sizing up the new recruits, assessing their demeanor, while their eyes darted around, searching for the name or names on the list that belonged to their own unit.

Lieutenant Colonel Xu Zhigang stubbed out his cigarette, coughed lightly, and took a few steps forward. His appearance quieted the scene slightly.

"Comrades from the Fuxing Military Academy, you've had a long journey." Xu Zhigang's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the platform:

"On behalf of Commander Lu Chong of the Chongqing Military Region, I welcome everyone!"

"The situation at the front is urgent, so let's skip the formalities. Representatives of each receiving unit, please contact the graduating students in your unit according to the established list, and then arrange transportation back to your respective posts!"

"To reiterate, everyone must report to their assigned unit by midnight tonight to complete the transfer of personnel records. Operation 'Breaking Through the City' is imminent, and time waits for no one!"

"Yes!" came a series of uneven but loud responses from the platform.

As Xu Zhigang finished speaking, the platform suddenly came to life.

Representatives from each unit took out their lists and began calling out names, recognizing people, shaking hands, and helping with luggage.

The sounds of greetings, introductions, and vehicle engines starting mingled together.

"Major Chen Yu of the 13th Infantry Brigade of Yezhou! This way, please!" a lieutenant colonel called out the name.

A young major carrying luggage squeezed through the crowd and walked toward the person who had spoken.

A senior colonel in the nearby 3rd Army Group glanced at it and whispered to his companion, "A top student from the political science department, he got almost a perfect score on the theory test. What a pity, he was assigned to an infantry brigade."

"Captain Liu Kai! From the 77th Army Armored Brigade! Come on, the vehicle's over here!"

"Colonel Wang Zhenhua! From the headquarters of the 3rd Group Army's Air Defense Brigade! Welcome!"

……

Zhang Jingyu stood in the middle to back of the line, his palms slightly sweaty.

He saw several officers who came to pick up the cadets of the 3rd Army Group, including Director Liu, who had just spoken to Xu Zhigang.

He took a deep breath, and when he heard the shout, "Major Zhang Jingyu, Political Instructor of the Reconnaissance Battalion, 31st Combined Arms Brigade, 3rd Group Army!" his heart skipped a beat, and he immediately responded loudly:

"To!"

Director Liu's gaze immediately fell upon them, a mixture of scrutiny and amusement.

Zhang Jingyu picked up his luggage and walked over quickly.

"Zhang Jingyu? I'm Liu Hui, the director of the brigade's political department. You can just call me Director Liu." Director Liu extended his hand warmly.

"I've heard of Instructor Zhang's name for a long time. He's an outstanding graduate of the Fuxing Military Academy, and his rank was personally conferred by the commander. He has a bright future ahead of him!"

"To be honest, our army group went to great lengths for you. Seeing you today, it's clear it wasn't all for nothing, hahaha—"

Director Liu's enthusiasm overwhelmed the inexperienced Zhang Jingyu, but the straightforward praise also filled him with joy.

"Director Liu, you flatter me! You flatter me!"

Upon hearing this, Director Liu's tone softened slightly, and he said, half-jokingly and half-seriously:

"You flatter me?! Are you implying that our army group leaders are blind and have misjudged us?"

"Well....."

Upon hearing Director Liu's accusation, Zhang Jingyu's heart tightened instantly, and he quickly waved his hands to explain.

"Director Liu, I didn't..."

Unexpectedly, Director Liu burst into laughter at this moment:

"Hahaha—Don't be nervous, Comrade Zhang, I was just kidding!"

"Getting back to the point, your battalion commander Zhou Rui is a fearless fighter. You, the newly appointed major and political instructor, have a heavy responsibility. Come on, get in the car first, and I'll explain everything to you in detail later!"

"Yes!"

Upon their first meeting, Zhang Jingyu was completely bewildered by Director Liu's words. His initial pride as an outstanding graduate of the Fuxing Military Academy and recipient of his rank personally bestowed by his superiors was subtly worn away...

Right now, all I can think about is what Director Liu really meant by those words... Was he joking, or was he giving me a warning?

On the other side, Senior Colonels Liang Xing and Gao He were also picked up by vehicles from the 31st Combined Arms Brigade and the Political Department of the 3rd Group Army, respectively.

Just before boarding the bus, the two exchanged a glance across the crowd and nodded to each other. In their eyes, there was a farewell to their friendship as classmates, and even more so, a tacit understanding and expectation that they would serve in this decisive battle together in different positions in the future.

Amidst the roar of engines, a fleet of Mengshi 3 armored vehicles departed from the platform, carrying this group of newly recruited "Revival Phase I" elite officers, merging into the massive and tense war torrent on the front lines of Chongqing, and speeding towards their respective battle stations.

The winds of the wilderness still blow through the lush yet dangerous vegetation, and the railway station remains bustling day and night.

The force that will ultimately determine the fate of this city is completing the assembly of the last batch of key components in the twilight of late autumn.

On the eve of the decisive battle, before the stars had risen, the steel was already cold.

.....