Chen Yang was also slightly surprised to see Liu Guoqiang actually asking for his advice. However, since he had asked, Chen Yang couldn't be careless. After a moment's thought, he cautiously said,
"Uncle Liu, personally, I feel that although Battalion Commander Liu has excellent military skills and is an outstanding grassroots leader, if he continues to focus on military affairs at the military region headquarters, his future career path might be somewhat limited. My suggestion is that he should develop in the direction of strategic research on high-tech warfare under informationized conditions. For an officer to grow into a senior military leader, strategic research is indispensable. Moreover, modern warfare increasingly emphasizes information dominance, and the nature of warfare has undergone tremendous changes compared to traditional warfare. Sticking to one's own area of expertise is short-sighted in the long run and detrimental to Battalion Commander Liu's personal growth. Furthermore, if possible, I suggest that Uncle Liu arrange for Battalion Commander Liu to undergo further training at an academy. If he could attend the National Defense University's strategic training program, that would be ideal!"
Liu Guoqiang found Chen Yang's words increasingly reasonable, his eyes gradually brightening, and he couldn't help but look at Chen Yang with new respect.
How did this kid's brain work? Not only did he possess a keen political sense, but his understanding of the military was also remarkably thorough. Moreover, from Chen Yang's words, Liu Guoqiang could easily discern that he even had a profound understanding of high-tech warfare under informationized conditions. This struck Liu Guoqiang as somewhat unbelievable.
Hearing Chen Yang's words, Liu Zhengfeng looked distressed and said,
"Go to school? Spending all day in a classroom listening to those old professors lecturing on national strategy, how boring! Training with the soldiers is much more exciting! If I were to go to headquarters, it would have to be military affairs or training to be interesting!"
"Hmph!" Liu Guoqiang snorted heavily, pointing at Liu Zhengfeng's nose and scolding, "What do you know! All you know is how to brandish weapons! You were like this as a company commander, and you're still like this as a battalion commander! What about later? Even if you become a regimental commander or division commander, will you still be like this? Have you ever seen a roughneck become an army commander or military region commander? Ignorant and incompetent, yet you dare to speak so confidently! No future!"
Liu Zhengfeng shrank back, somewhat disagreeing, but dared not utter another word. However, he was quite resentful of Chen Yang's inexplicable suggestion. The thought of being confined to the military academy for several months made Liu Zhengfeng feel extremely uncomfortable. Seeing this, Chen Yang smiled and said, "Commander Liu, please don't think that studying at the military academy is a waste of time. Those professors are dedicated to research, and they have access to more comprehensive information. If you go there with specific questions in mind, you're sure to gain something! While grassroots training is good, the perspective is too narrow. For example, as a battalion commander in a mechanized infantry battalion, you might have some knowledge of the situation and strategic analysis in the southeast, but what about the situation in Northeast Asia? The South China Sea? Sino-US relations? Studying strategy more can make your thinking clearer and greatly help your growth and advancement. Every senior leader has a global perspective, a broad vision, and great strategies! I think you have ready-made role models around you to learn from!"
After saying this, Chen Yang looked at Liu Guoqiang with a smile. Although Liu Guoqiang was a true second-generation Red Army soldier, he was a general who truly rose from the ranks of a grassroots company soldier. Due to the special era, Liu Guoqiang did not receive a very systematic education. Throughout his military career, Liu Guoqiang has consistently pursued diligent study. He now holds a doctorate in strategic studies from the National Defense University and has published substantial analytical articles in academic journals both within and outside the military, earning him the reputation as an expert-level senior military officer. Foreign media have previously analyzed that a new generation of military scholar-leaders, represented by Liu Guoqiang, will guide the future modernization of China's national defense.
Liu Guoqiang waved his hand and said with a smile:
"Why are you talking about me all of a sudden? Xiao Fang, I think what you said makes a lot of sense. I'll contact them later and see when the next strategic training course at the National Defense University starts, so this kid can go and further his studies."
Liu Zhengfeng immediately looked worried, which amused Chen Yang. Suddenly remembering a major event that would happen at the end of the year, Chen Yang had an idea and said:
"Battalion Commander Liu, if there's an opportunity for further study, you must seize it! Especially Professor Jin Xiaoguang at the National Defense University. If you have the chance, you can ask him about the situation in Northeast Asia. It's a topic worth studying carefully, and you could write a very good analytical article!"
Liu Zhengfeng hadn't taken it seriously yet, but Liu Guoqiang asked with great interest:
"Oh? Xiao Fang, what makes you say that? The Northeast situation is currently..." "It seems the situation is relatively stable, and the situation is under our control."
Chen Yang smiled slightly and said calmly:
"Uncle Liu, although Junzhu is our traditional neighbor, the relationship between the two countries is not as close as the outside world portrays, which goes without saying. What I want to say is that Junzhu has many uncertainties, and the continuity of many policies is weak. This isn't the first time Junzhu has made empty promises and then reneged on its word. The current stability is only temporary. Let's hypothesize: what if Junzhu's top leader suddenly passed away? What would happen to their domestic situation? Would the Li family's rule collapse? How should our country respond? There are many issues worth studying and discussing! You know, that great comrade hasn't appeared in public for more than twenty days..."
After saying this meaningfully, Chen Yang wisely shut his mouth. Liu Guoqiang was a smart man; many things didn't need to be explicitly stated. If he continued, it wouldn't be analysis, it would be divine intervention.
After listening to Chen Yang's words, Liu Guoqiang fell into deep thought. For years, Liu Guoqiang had served in the Southeast Military Region. Due to his work, he had conducted in-depth research on the situation across the Taiwan Strait. While he had also dabbled in other issues concerning China, they hadn't garnered his full attention.
Chen Yang's words, however, truly reminded Liu Guoqiang. After a moment, Liu Guoqiang's eyes gleamed, and he said loudly:
"Xiao Fang, your analysis is very insightful! I think this issue deserves serious study! By the way, do you have any other valuable insights? Don't hold back, tell us everything!"
Liu Guoqiang knew that Chen Yang definitely had more to say. From Chen Yang's analysis, Liu Guoqiang immediately realized that handling this issue well would be a significant political asset.
If a paper on the Northeast Asian situation were published under Liu Zhengfeng's name, focusing on the possibility of a dramatic upheaval in Junzhu Kingdom and my country's subsequent response, then if Chen Yang's analysis were to actually occur, Liu Zhengfeng, this young battalion commander in his twenties, would instantly gain the attention of the military's top brass due to his exceptional strategic thinking. This would have a decisive impact on his future development!
Although the Liu family possesses considerable strength in the military, they suffer from a lack of successors. If Liu Zhengfeng were to emerge at this time, he would undoubtedly become a rising star!
Liu Guoqiang grew increasingly excited, his gaze towards Chen Yang filled with anticipation. Chen Yang shook his head somewhat helplessly, then sorted out his thoughts, summarizing and organizing the information he had gathered from his previous life, and began to speak eloquently.
After all, the sudden death of Junzhu Kingdom's supreme leader was a real event in his previous life, and my country had responded appropriately, preventing any danger to its northern border. As a core member of the Fang family in his previous life, Chen Yang was well-versed in the decision-making process of the leadership on this issue. Therefore, he spoke with confidence when discussing these matters.
Once Chen Yang started talking, he abandoned any pretense of modesty and poured out his views like beans spilling from a bamboo tube. He spoke for a full half hour, captivating not only Liu Guoqiang but also Liu Zhengfeng and Yuan Fang. Even Liu Xinyao, who didn't usually pay much attention to politics, frequently glanced at Chen Yang, quite surprised.
Chen Yang seemed like a different person, radiating confidence. It was as if, at this moment, he wasn't a student but a high-ranking leader of China, pontificating and commanding the nation.
After speaking until his throat was dry, Chen Yang finally finished expressing his views. He shut his mouth, reached for a cup on the coffee table, took a few large gulps of water, and then said with a smile:
"Uncle Liu, these are just my personal analyses, not necessarily accurate. I'm just offering them as a reference."
Liu Guoqiang was slightly stunned. He had a strategic vision, so with a little analysis, he knew that what Chen Yang had just said was nothing short of golden advice, and could even be written into a decent academic paper with a little revision. Liu Guoqiang really couldn't imagine how Chen Yang had managed to do it. Therefore, Liu Guoqiang paused for a moment before exclaiming in admiration:
"Xiao Fang! You've truly impressed me! How do you know so much? If I'm not mistaken, you studied law in university, which doesn't seem to have anything to do with international strategy."
Chen Yang knew Liu Guoqiang would definitely ask this question, and had already prepared his answer. He immediately replied:
"I'm quite interested in this area, and I usually pay attention to current affairs and politics. I've read a lot of materials and articles. Anyway, the more books I read, the more I sometimes try to analyze things myself! Of course, it's not necessarily accurate; it's all just my personal opinion!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Guoqiang turned to Liu Zhengfeng and said irritably:
"You brat, do you still dare to say that studying is useless? Xiao Fang is only a third-year student. Could you have said what he just said?"
Although Liu Zhengfeng wasn't particularly politically astute, he recognized the valuable insights Chen Yang had just provided. He had already abandoned his disdain for the training course and lowered his head, appearing receptive to instruction. Liu Guoqiang continued:
"I'll contact my old comrade-in-arms right away. This round of strategic training has already started, and I'll try my best to get you into Class C! After you get to the National Defense University, you need to settle down and focus on your research, especially with Professor Jin Xiaoguang. Consult him frequently and try to turn the issue we just discussed into a paper for publication as soon as possible…"
After thinking for a moment, Liu Guoqiang added:
"Remember to include Xiao Fang's name in the authorship. The core ideas are all his, understand?"
"Yes!" Liu Zhengfeng stood up at attention and answered crisply.