Forged in the fires of war: The Qi family's generals rewrite the fate of eastern Hebei.

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"If your DA Division were to face off against the entire army next, would you be confident?"

"Commander, I believe that if we fight against the entire army, we will definitely encounter different opponents. These opponents may cause some trouble for our DA Division, but I believe that these troubles are only temporary and will not pose much of a threat to us."

"I asked you if you dare to confront the entire army, why are you giving me all this nonsense?"

The word "dare" and the word "good"—these two short words completely set the tone for the upcoming all-army live-fire exercises.

An unprecedented, yet heroic, large-scale exercise is about to begin.

After three years of intensive training, the DA Division, carrying the morale of victory over the entire Southeast Military Region, launched an attack on all the elite troops of the army.

After returning to Beijing, the Deputy Chief of Staff immediately began discussions with his superiors.

The military has invested so much time and effort; they need to see tangible results. This exercise was inevitable.

After two months of discussions, the large-scale live-fire exercise involving the entire military was finally finalized, and the instructions for the exercise were issued to all military regions.

This instantly caused a stir throughout the entire army.

This live-fire exercise was named "Sharp Sword-94 Live-Fire Confrontation Exercise" by headquarters.

Six elite divisions were selected from the six major military regions of Beijing, Northeast, Northwest, Shandong, Southwest, and South China to engage in live-fire combat against the DA Division.

The battlegrounds include various terrains such as the snowfields of Northeast China, the Gobi Desert of Northwest China, the grasslands of the border regions, and the jungles of Southwest China.

The headquarters will serve as the directing body, with the deputy chief of staff as the chief director and each of the seven military regions sending a deputy commander as the deputy director, to oversee the entire exercise.

It was at this time that the other six military regions figured out an important thing.

There are a total of 7 military regions in the country, so why is the Southeast Military Region missing this time?

At this moment, a message came in: the DA Division had won three battles in the Southeast Military Region, defeating all three of the Southeast Military Region's elite divisions.

The Southeast Military Region suffered a complete defeat.

The news spread throughout the entire army, shocking countless people.

Although the Southeast Military Region is located in the south, and may not be as strong as the northern military regions in terms of heavy armored forces, it is still a large military region!

Which of the three elite divisions that fought against the DA Division wasn't a heroic unit? Which of them didn't have an incredibly glorious history?

You haven't fought a single one?

However, while they were shocked, they also ignited the fighting spirit of the entire army.

We are all soldiers, and soldiers have always had one characteristic: they never admit defeat.

We all have two shoulders and one head, so who's worse than whom?

You DA Masters want to use us as stepping stones, but these Ace Masters also want to use DA Masters as experience packs to farm.

It is foreseeable that whichever unit can defeat the DA Division will receive tremendous attention, and all members of the division's Party Committee will make significant progress.

This is an extremely important matter, so none of the other six military regions will take it lightly.

In this live-fire exercise, the DA Division's opponent was recommended by the military region and then decided by headquarters.

Therefore, all six military regions are putting in their best efforts to select the strongest elite division from among them, and none of them are willing to be a stepping stone.

Who cares if Fang Zhenhua has any connections? This is the military, not some privileged classmate. This is real combat, and we must take down the DA Division.

Soon, headquarters made its first decision: in this Sharp Sword-94 live-fire exercise, the DA Division's first opponent was selected: the Northeast Military Region.

The Northeast Military Region is undoubtedly the leading force in the entire army, with its combat strength being unparalleled. Because it faces pressure from the north, it also has the largest number of elite divisions.

The Northeast Military Region comprises five major group armies, with a large number of troops stationed there.

Among these five army groups, the 39th Army Group is undoubtedly the strongest. These are the three strongest elite army groups in our army.

Therefore, when the Northeast Military Region learned that they had become the first opponent of the DA Division, they did not hesitate to think of the 39th Division.

Among this elite army group, the 116th Division is undoubtedly a top-tier elite division, and its commander is Gao Degong.

When the military region assigned this task to Gao Degong, he was stunned when he learned that he would be the first unit in the entire army to conduct live-fire combat exercises with the DA Division.

Although Lao Gao had never witnessed the power of the DA Division, he should not forget that the DA Division's armored battalion originated from the armored regiment of the 116th Division.

Old Gao knew all too well that his armored regiment was the most powerful in the entire Northeast Military Region.

Moreover, Lao Gao was well aware that Fang Zhenhua was a man of considerable skill, and that his armored regiment would likely become even more powerful under Fang Zhenhua's command.

As Lao Gao had guessed, the combat effectiveness of the DA Division's armored battalion was even greater after being equipped with third-generation main battle tanks. This was the consensus of all the officers and soldiers in the armored battalion.

The first opponent for the Sharp Sword-94 exercise was selected. After Gao Degong was notified, Fang Zhenhua was also notified.

After learning that he had become Lao Gao's rival, he felt a slight sense of guilt.

This is fucking terrible.

He poached Lao Gao's most elite armored regiment, so it's easy to imagine that the 116th Division's combat strength is now inferior to what it used to be.

With the enemy weak and us strong, Lao Gao has really been in deep trouble.

But there was nothing we could do about it. When we recruited the troops, we never imagined things would turn out this way.

But now, on second thought, the 116th Division, as the top-tier elite division of the Northeast Military Region, knows without a doubt that this task will fall to them once live-fire exercises are conducted.

Fang Zhenhua had no choice; at this moment, he had to protect himself first. This was not the time to care about brotherhood.

At worst, we can help Lao Gao out again when he gets back on his feet.

This live-fire exercise took place in Hecheng, in Northeast China.

In terms of terrain, Hecheng was freezing cold at this time, which gave the 116th Division an advantage in terms of both timing and location.

Because the DA Division had been stationed in the southeast for a long time, they were not entirely adapted to fighting in cold regions.

However, as the first informationized warfare division in the entire army, the ability to fight regardless of terrain is an important performance indicator for the DA Division.

The entire DA Division began moving northeast.

The movement of this division to the Northeast is no small matter to other interested parties in the world; those unaware of the situation might think our army is making some major move.

The Americans hurriedly inquired with headquarters, wanting to know if our army was going to do anything, so everyone could give each other advance notice and avoid accidental casualties!

However, when the US military inquired, headquarters only gave one answer: it was just an exercise and nothing serious.

Upon hearing that it was an exercise, the US military didn't pay much attention. As long as it wasn't actual combat, and as long as it wasn't about recapturing a small island, they didn't care.

After the DA division arrived in Heilongjiang in Northeast China, Fang Zhenhua and Gao Degong met.

Old Gao said angrily as soon as he came in.

"Old Fang, you're not a fair player. You took my elite armored regiment. I definitely can't beat you this time. I'm doomed. My future is in trouble."

"Old Gao is a true brother," Fang Zhenhua said, putting his arm around his shoulder.

"It's not certain who will win or lose! You guys have the advantage of timing and location this time, but I might end up suffering a loss in silence."

Old Gao gave him a disdainful look and retorted directly.

"Your DA Division has won three battles in the Southeast Military Region, and is invincible throughout the Southeast Military Region. Now stop pretending to be a big shot in front of me."

"Haha, what do you mean by 'acting like a big shot'?"

It's clear that Lao Gao is indeed somewhat worried. This live-fire exercise is of great importance to both sides.

Old Gao has now reached the rank of senior colonel, just one step away from becoming a general.

If he loses this time, it will definitely not look good for his future.

The promotion from senior colonel to major general is a huge hurdle in itself.

"Alright, what are you afraid of? You're different from others. Even if you lose this time, it won't affect your advancement! Don't forget my three little brats, their godfather..."

At this point, Lao Gao understood everything.

We're all on the same side.

However, Lao Gao still said...

"We may be good friends, but don't expect me to go easy on you this time."

"I'm just hoping you won't go easy on me."

How can letting others win demonstrate the fighting power of a DA?

Chapter 140 Beating Gao Degong

The "Sharp Sword-94" live-fire combat exercise has officially begun.

In the command post of the DA Division, Fang Zhenhua stood in front of the sand table, carefully studying the terrain. Beside him, Political Commissar Liu Xudong, Deputy Division Commander Liang Sanxi, and Yue Jun awaited his instructions.

Fang Zhenhua looked at the sand table and drew on the map. After a while, he asked a question.

"Ask the information team how much the cold weather affects the system's operation?"

Liang Sanxi then spoke up.

"Kaihua had already reported to me that the cold weather had some impact on the Tianyan and Tianer systems, but the impact was not significant."

"Are you sure? This won't have a big impact. Have you confirmed how much it will affect the battle? War is no small matter. Any small problem can be fatal at a critical moment."

"Kaihua said that the Information Brigade has already conducted tests and it does not affect the use of the system. All brigades can receive information transmission normally."

Fang Zhenhua nodded, drew three circles on the map, and then asked.

"Have the armored battalion, artillery battalion, and missile battalion reached their designated positions?"

"They're all in place. The missile battalion has two HQ-9 air defense missile battalions and two DF-10 surface-to-surface tactical missile battalions. They're fully prepared and ready to receive your instructions at any time."

The Dongfeng-10 surface-to-surface tactical missile is a new type of short-range surface-to-surface tactical missile that was just put into service with the DA division in July two years ago.

This tactical missile is not domestically produced; its prototype also comes from the north.

Under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, one of Russia's tactical missiles was included in the list of missiles to be destroyed: the SS-23 surface-to-surface tactical missile, NATO's codename for it was Spider, while Russia itself simply called it the Oka missile.

This missile is a third-generation surface-to-surface tactical missile. Before the Russians completely collapsed, all of its stock and production lines were destroyed, and even most of the data was destroyed.

Back in 88, Fang Zhenhua instructed Yuri to retrieve the data on this missile.

After being brought back to China, domestic researchers spent nearly three years digesting the information and completely mastering all the core aspects of the missile.

By July 1992, the first batch of Dongfeng-10 missiles, developed based on the Oka missile, were deployed to the DA Division.

It became the most advanced surface-to-surface tactical missile in the entire division, and also a major weapon in Fang Zhenhua's hands.

Fang Zhenhua's missile brigade was equipped with two battalions of Dongfeng-10 missiles, with each battalion equipped with four missile launchers, making their firepower extremely fierce.

After questioning Liang Sanxi, Fang Zhenhua turned his attention to Yue Jun.

"What did the Army Aviation Brigade say?"

"Liu Esheng has already reported that the Army Aviation Brigade is fully prepared for combat and awaits instructions from the division headquarters at any time. They can take to the skies at any moment and launch a sweeping attack on the 116th Division."

"It seems all our troops are fully prepared for battle and are just waiting for my orders, right?"

As soon as Fang Zhenhua finished speaking, Liu Xudong, Liang Sanxi and the others burst into laughter.

Political Commissar Liu Xudong, in particular, spoke directly.

"Commander, all of us commanders and soldiers have been waiting for this day for a long time."

"Yes! Although I also really want to defeat the 116th Division on the battlefield, we haven't located the enemy yet. Deputy Division Commander Liang, send an order to Lei Kaihua to activate the Sky Eye system and capture the location of the 116th Division."

"Deputy Division Commander Yue."

"Order the special operations brigade to send out all the special forces soldiers to track the movements of the 116th Division and their hiding places."

The division headquarters was also equipped with the Sky Ear system. Liang Sanxi and Yue Jun went to carry out Fang Zhenhua's military orders. Liu Xudong walked up to Commander Fang and asked.

"Old Gao became the commander of the 116th Division not just because of his father. This old guy is very shrewd. It won't be easy to find out his location!"

So what are your thoughts?

"Old Gao doesn't dare to fight me head-on now. Knowing him as I do, he's definitely looking for my weakness and then trying to kill me with one blow."

Liu Xudong nodded. At this moment, Fang Zhenhua suddenly put down the pencil in his hand and sighed.

"Why are you sighing suddenly?"

"Actually, I'm not optimistic about whether the special operations brigade can pinpoint the location of the 116th Division."

"How to say?"

"Old Gao also served as the captain of the Wolf Fang Special Forces Brigade. This old guy is also a master in the field of special operations. As the saying goes, the most dangerous person is also the one who understands you the most."