"Marksman?" Zhèng Sānpào's mind buzzed, completely stunned. He stared at Jiāng Yǔ, his mouth opening and closing, unable to speak for a long time.
Not only him, but all the old soldiers in Squad One looked at Jiāng Yǔ as if he were an alien. "Jiāng Yǔ, are you running a fever, kid?" Wáng Dàniú couldn't help but reach out to touch Jiāng Yǔ's forehead.
"A sniper! The company might not produce one in a year! And you don't want it?"
"He's crazy, this kid is definitely crazy!" "Not eating something so delicious, but insisting on gnawing on a rock?" The discussion in the dormitory started again, this time no longer with envy, but with utter bewilderment.
Jiāng Yǔ ignored the surrounding noise, his gaze remaining fixed on Zhèng Sānpào. He knew that in this era, in this unit, the concept of "marksman" as a distinct role didn't clearly exist yet. He had to explain it clearly.
"Reporting, Sergeant!" Jiāng Yǔ spoke again, his voice not loud, but carrying an irrefutable power. "Snipers usually use high-precision bolt-action rifles and aim for a single fatal shot.
The rate of fire is slow, and they typically operate independently of the squad." He paused, scanning the faces full of question marks among his comrades. "But the marksman I'm talking about is a fire support unit belonging to the infantry squad!
He uses an assault rifle equipped with a high-magnification scope. He can provide rapid, precise fire support for the squad at distances from four hundred to eight hundred meters! He possesses both the accuracy of a sniper and the rate of fire of a rifleman!
He can keep up with the squad's attack rhythm and hit whatever is pointed out, making him a sharp blade within the infantry squad!" Jiāng Yǔ's words were resonant. The entire dormitory fell silent once more.
Although the old soldiers only half-understood, from Jiāng Yǔ's description, they vaguely formed the image of a formidable warrior wielding a "divine gun," cutting down enemies on the battlefield. It sounded… quite impressive, didn't it?
Zhèng Sānpào frowned, thinking more deeply than the average soldier. The "marksman" Jiāng Yǔ described truly filled the firepower gap between ordinary riflemen and professional snipers. In the infiltration and surprise attack missions the reconnaissance company often undertook, if such a role truly existed, the combat effectiveness of the entire squad would definitely be elevated by a notch!
But… "What you're saying makes sense to me." Zhèng Sānpào finally spoke, scratching his head, looking troubled.
"But our company, and even our entire Group Army, doesn't have this establishment! The spot the company assigned you is for a sniper, that was decided after study by the higher-ups; it's not something I, as a Sergeant, can change." He looked at Jiāng Yǔ and sighed.
"Jiāng Yǔ, I know you've got ideas and you're capable. But I really can't make the decision on this." "How about this."
Zhèng Sānpào slapped his thigh. "Tomorrow morning, you come with me to see Miáo Lián! You can explain it to Miáo Lián yourself, face-to-face!
See what Miáo Lián decides!" "Yes!" Jiāng Yǔ straightened his chest and responded loudly.
... The next day. It was just dawn, and the reveille hadn't even sounded yet.
Fragrant aroma of food was already wafting from the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company's mess hall. Miáo Lián was eating from a stainless steel mess tin, larger than his face, his mouth greasy. He was in an exceptionally good mood today.
Why? Because the new recruit Jiāng Yǔ, who had just joined yesterday, had truly brought him great honor! He had aced the new recruit assessment, his marksmanship had astounded everyone, and he had even received direct commendation from the regiment.
This made him, as company commander, stand a lot straighter in front of the other companies. When his mood was good, his appetite was good. Miáo Lián slurped his way through his third bowl of millet porridge and two large steamed buns.
Just then, a new recruit walked by with his mess tin, slipped, and with a "clang," his tin, along with the food, scattered all over the floor. The expressions of several old soldiers nearby changed; they thought this new recruit was in for trouble. After all, Miáo Lián detested waste of food and boisterousness the most.
Under normal circumstances, a severe scolding would have been unavoidable. But today, Miáo Lián merely lifted his eyelids and waved his hand. "What are you standing there for?
Hurry up and clean it up, then go get another portion!" "Be careful! You're so clumsy!"
In his tone, there wasn't even much anger. The new recruit, as if granted amnesty, quickly cleaned up the mess and scurried away sheepishly. The old soldiers around exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
Had the company commander eaten something sweet today? So accommodating? After breakfast.
Zhèng Sānpào led Jiāng Yǔ all the way to the door of the company headquarters office. He tidied his uniform and knocked. "Reporting!"
"Come in!" Miáo Lián's booming voice came from inside the office. Zhèng Sānpào pushed open the door and walked in with Jiāng Yǔ.
"Company Commander!" Miáo Lián was engrossed in a document when he looked up and saw them, a smile appearing on his face. "Oh?
Sānpào, and Jiāng Yǔ is here too." "Come, come, sit down." He gestured to the chairs nearby, his attitude very amiable.
Zhèng Sānpào gave Jiāng Yǔ a look but remained standing straight, not sitting. Jiāng Yǔ stepped forward, stood at attention, and saluted. "Reporting, Company Commander!"
"New recruit Jiāng Yǔ has something to report to you!" "Oh?" Miáo Lián looked at him with interest.
"Speak, what is it?" Jiāng Yǔ took a deep breath and said directly, "Reporting, Company Commander, I don't want to be a sniper!" As soon as the words left his mouth, the air in the office instantly froze.
The smile on Miáo Lián's face slowly receded, replaced by a hint of surprise. He put down the document he was holding, leaned forward slightly, and his sharp gaze swept over Jiāng Yǔ's face. "Give me a reason."
His voice was not loud but carried an unquestionable authority. Beside him, Zhèng Sānpào's palms began to sweat with nervousness. This kid really dared to say it!
Jiāng Yǔ met Miáo Lián's gaze, neither humble nor arrogant. "Reporting, Company Commander, I believe the position of sniper cannot fully utilize my abilities!" "Oh?"
Miáo Lián raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth curling into a playful arc. This kid had an unusually big mouth! "Then what position do you think can utilize your abilities?"
"Reporting, Company Commander, I want to become a marksman!" Jiāng Yǔ reiterated the theory from the squad meeting last night, presenting it to Miáo Lián in a more systematic and detailed manner. From the tactical positioning of a marksman, to weapon configuration, and then to its immense advantages in modern small-scale conflicts.
He spoke clearly and logically. Miáo Lián, who initially had a scrutinizing expression, began to change his gaze as he listened. "Good kid!"
After Jiāng Yǔ finished, Miáo Lián suddenly slammed the table and stood up! He paced excitedly around the office, muttering. "Marksman…
marksman… providing long-range precision fire support within the squad… Great!
This idea is too good!" He suddenly stopped and stared at Jiāng Yǔ, his eyes shining. "I haven't not thought about this theory of yours!"
"We even modified a few guns ourselves, adding high-magnification scopes, but the results were always unsatisfactory!" "The main problem was the lack of suitable shooters!" "You, kid, are a talent!"
Miáo Lián did not hide his admiration. "However…" His tone shifted, and his gaze became sharp again.
"No matter how good the theory is, it's just empty talk!" "Whether it's a horse or a mule, you have to bring it out for a walk!" "Just talking without doing is useless!"
Miáo Lián waved his hand expansively and shouted with great spirit, "Let's go! Come with me to the shooting range!" "I want to see with my own eyes if your marksmanship can live up to your bombastic theory!"
Half an hour later. At the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company's tactical shooting range. Chen Guotao, the platoon leader, rushed over breathlessly, carrying two rifles after receiving the order.
One was the familiar Type 88 sniper rifle used by everyone in the unit. The other was a modified Type 95 assault rifle! "Company Commander!
The guns are here!" Miáo Lián took the modified Type 95 and handed it to Jiāng Yǔ. "Here, this is what we tinkered with before, give it a try."
Meanwhile, several old soldiers had already run towards the distant target area. "Go! Randomly set up fifty concealed targets in the five hundred to eight hundred meter range!"
Miáo Lián roared towards their retreating backs. "Make the targets tricky! Concealed!
Hidden behind rocks, in bushes, on tree branches! Make it as difficult as possible!" "Yes!"
The old soldiers took their orders and left. On the shooting range, only Miáo Lián, Chen Guotao, Zhèng Sānpào, and Jiāng Yǔ remained. All eyes were focused on Jiāng Yǔ.
Jiāng Yǔ took the modified rifle. It felt heavy in his hands. He skillfully checked the firearm, opened the bolt, and chambered a round.
The entire movement was fluid, without any extraneous actions. He lay down in the shooting position and looked into the distance through the scope. In the sunlight, the target area eight hundred meters away appeared somewhat blurred.
He took a deep breath and gently pulled the trigger. "Bang!" The bullet whistled out.
Jiāng Yǔ didn't look at the target but quickly adjusted the scope's knob. "Reporting, Company Commander." He raised his head, his face calm as still water.
"The point of impact has been calibrated." "We can begin the assessment."