1030: Chapter One Thousand and Fourteen: Pure Nonsense 1030: Chapter One Thousand and Fourteen: Pure Nonsense Gao Yang first went to find Li Jinfang and Eileen, who were discussing how to train Farouk.
He knocked on the door, pushed it open, and said to the two of them, “Come up with anything?”
Eileen was lying on her bed with her feet propped up against the headboard, shaking them as she said loudly, “What’s there to research, it’s just the same old stuff.
Just pick what Farouk lacks most and make him practice it.”
Since Eileen was a woman, she got the same treatment as Gao and had a room to herself, which she thoroughly enjoyed, while Li Jinfang was sitting at her small desk in deep thought.
Gao went over to Li Jinfang, saw a few sheets of paper on the desk, and Li Jinfang was holding a pen, staring intently at the clean white paper before him.
“Are you daydreaming, or are you pondering something?”
Li Jinfang looked up at Gao and said, “Ah, nothing, I haven’t done anything.”
Gao chuckled bitterly.
Li Jinfang had slipped into one of his unresponsive states again.
He patted Li Jinfang on the shoulder and then said loudly, “So what’s the plan for training Farouk?
Let me remind you once more, everything we learned in Israel, none of that can be taught.
For everything else, teach whatever you think you can.”
Eileen said loudly, “We’ve already talked this over.
Toad is responsible for Farouk’s fitness and combat, I’ll take care of his tactical movements, combat formations, and the like, including command.
We won’t be here for long, and there’s no chance to teach Farouk anything too complicated.”
Gao waved his hand and spoke, “Time’s almost up, come with me.
Let’s go pick the troops with Farouk.”
Eileen hopped down from the bed and asked, “Do you really plan to personally take charge of them?”
Gao shrugged and said, “Why not?
Though I might be looked down upon, the men coming should all have some basics; with a bit of coordination, they’ll be ready for combat.
If we’re strict, we can pick out the truly capable soldiers.
Isn’t that good?”
Eileen clapped her hands firmly like a man and exclaimed, “Let’s go see what those rookies are like.”
The three of them left the room, only to see Glolov walking slowly by himself outside.
Gao waved his hand and called out, “Big Dog, where are you off to?”
Glolov turned around, saw Gao, pointed to the room next to him, and said, “Bored out of my mind, I was going to chat with Wild Man and the others.”
Gao beckoned with his hand and said, “Forget about that, come with us; Farouk’s new recruits are almost here, we’re going to pick troops.”
Glolov thought for a moment, then nodded and said, “Sounds good.”
The four of them got to Farouk’s room, knocked, and upon opening the door, saw Farouk dressed in a crisp military uniform, holding a cap under his arm.
When Farouk saw Gao, he spread his arms and said, “How about it?
Not bad, eh?”
Gao pointed at Farouk with a smile and said, “You’re nervous.”
Farouk shook his head subconsciously but then hesitated and nodded, saying, “Yes, I’m indeed a bit nervous.
The men coming are the elite of the Republican Guard, and I’m genuinely worried about embarrassing myself and the old unit.”
Eileen waved her hand and said, “Relax, there’s nothing to be nervous about.
Just say what you need to say, keep a straight face, and leave the rest to us.”
Farouk nodded but then frowned at Gao and said, “You’re wearing a colonel’s rank, and I’m just a captain.
Do you think maintaining a straight face would be of any use?”
Gao helplessly shrugged his shoulders and said, “Then I’m helpless.
Alright, let’s go, it’s time to head to the runway.
We should meet your subordinates at the first opportunity.”
The five people slowly made their way to the edge of the runway.
Once they were positioned, Gao said, puzzled, “I really don’t get it.
We’re all in Damascus, so why use planes to bring these people?
Aren’t Syria’s transport planes in urgent need right now?”
Farouk stood up straight, with a serious expression, and replied, “I don’t know either, perhaps Marshal wants to send them by plane.
Even though the flight from this airport to that one only takes a few minutes.”
Farouk’s reply was nonsense but also not nonsense; who knows what the Marshal was thinking, insisting on sending people in such a laborious and unappreciated manner when it was just a simple command from the Marshal.
Syria only has the Il-76 capable of transporting over one hundred and sixty people in a single trip, and Syria has only four Il-76s in total.
After waiting for nearly ten minutes, Gao Yang first heard a roaring sound, and as the noise grew louder, he saw a large plane appear in the sky.
The plane landed, the rear cargo door opened, and a line of soldiers ran out of the plane’s tail one after another.
Leading them was a major, who, upon seeing Gao Yang and Farouk, made a beeline for them while the multitude of soldiers got into formation.
When he saw Gao Yang’s colonel insignia, the officer, who looked to be in his forties, saluted Gao Yang, and then Farouk returned the salute to the major.
After exchanging salutes, the major spoke in a grave tone, “I am here under orders from Marshal to bring these men for your assessment and selection.
After you’ve chosen enough suitable candidates, I will take the rest back.”
More than one hundred and sixty people stood in a large square formation beside the runway, although the ranks were uneven.
Gao Yang turned his gaze to the group of soldiers, who couldn’t really be called soldiers, because there were quite a few officers among them, at least three second lieutenants, and even a lieutenant.
The soldiers varied in height, and their uniforms were a diverse mix: some were dressed in officer’s dress, others wore army combat camouflage, some were in training outfits, and there were even individuals in tanker attire.
Not only were the uniforms inconsistent, but Gao Yang also noticed that at least fifteen or sixteen people wore glasses.
Gao Yang couldn’t hold back his irritation, “Is this the damn ‘elite of the elite’ you spoke of?”
Faru was also taken aback, muttering in disbelief, “Didn’t the General say he would pick people from the special units of the Republic Guard Division?”
The major coughed softly, “You required that all personnel must be English speakers.
Well, most of the English speakers have come here.
As for selecting from the special units as previously mentioned, there were some issues, so that plan was scrapped.”
Faru’s frustration grew, and although he was a rank lower, he stepped up to the major and said in a low voice, “What is this mess?
You talked about Special Forces, but who are these people?
I don’t demand that members of Special Forces be sent, but our unit was established for special operations.
Even if they’re not from Special Forces, sending someone from combat units would be acceptable.
But, sir, with just one glance, I can see a dozen civilians, and tanker crew!
Am I supposed to take them for airborne operations behind enemy lines?”
The major kept a stoic face, speaking quietly, “The General had initially planned to call people in from the Mediterranean Sea Divine Eagle, but his demands were denied.
Therefore, the General has sent everyone from the Republican Guard and the Fourth Armored Division who can speak English and volunteered here.
Take your time choosing!”
Gao Yang understood what was going on.
The Republican Guard of Syria, unlike the large Iraqi Republican Guard, initially had just over ten thousand personnel at its inception, roughly the size of one division.
Hence, many referred to the Syrian Republican Guard as the Republic Guard Division.
The Republic Guard Division now had a personnel count exceeding twenty-five thousand, with Marshal as their commander.
And now Marshal had also incorporated Syria’s most elite Fourth Armored Division under his command.
Crucially, the Syrian Republican Guard was purely an armored force, and of course, so was the Fourth Armored Division.
Regarding the Mediterranean Sea Divine Eagle, that was a Special Forces unit.
Gao Yang wasn’t familiar with the unit, but he knew it didn’t seem to be under Marshal’s command.
It was now clear that Marshal wanted a capable Special Forces unit under his command as well, having extended his reach towards the Mediterranean Sea Divine Eagle, but it looked like his wishes had been thwarted.
Gao Yang didn’t know what Marshal was thinking, but it now seemed to him that Marshal intended to create a Special Forces unit from scratch.
Gao Yang didn’t know if Marshal was simply being petulant, but he knew this was nonsensical: pulling a group from two armored divisions to form a Special Forces unit primarily relying on helicopter air drops for behind-enemy-lines operations was downright foolish.
Forming a Special Forces unit was no easy task.
If one were to build it with troops that already had a foundation and combat capabilities, it might somewhat make sense.
But the only qualification of Marshal’s chosen men was their English proficiency, which was ludicrous.
Gao was so frustrated he felt his teeth ache.
He had planned to recruit capable fighters.
Not necessarily elites, but certainly ones that were ready for immediate use.
However, the prospect of commanding a mixed bunch without a solid foundation, whom it was uncertain could even shoot properly, in a high-difficulty operation like a decapitation mission, bordered on insanity.
Training these individuals to be battle-ready would take at least, at the very least, two or three months—and that was by reducing standards and treating it as if he were taking a group of regular infantry into battle.
Under Special Forces standards, without intense specialized training for at least a year or two, how could they even be called Special Forces?
Gao’s nose was nearly out of joint with irritation, while Faru’s face twisted with dismay.
The people Marshal had sent were far inferior to those selected from his old unit.
Watching the expressions on Gao and Faru’s faces, the major coughed again and said, “Though there are many civilian personnel, it’s simply to provide you with a greater selection.
Between us, I know they’re not quite fit for the role, but the General really has high hopes for them.
In fact, there are quite a few amongst them with potential, including many selected from reconnaissance forces.
I think, perhaps, their abilities might satisfy you.”
Faru cast a pleading glance at Gao Yang, then whispered, “What should we do?” (To be continued.
If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) or cast a monthly vote.
Your support is my greatest motivation.
Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)