NOVEL WEB Chapter 41
Chapter 41: Shooting full circle, a natural sharpshooter!
For the recruits’ initial live ammunition session, they all aimed at a distance of 100 meters. Chen Ming lay prone, peering through the machine sight’s small aperture, focusing on the target 100 meters away, and regulating his breathing. While the 95-type rifle family comes equipped with a three-fold optical sight at the factory, it’s seldom issued for use due to traditional beliefs.
Shooting something beyond 100 meters through the machine sight poses significant challenges. Given the 100-meter distance, visually, a target was roughly the size of a mineral water bottle.
With firearms proficiency, Chen Ming mentally calculated factors affecting the trajectory and fine-tuned the firearm. Aligning the machine sight aperture, muzzle calibration point, and target center into a line, he slowed his breathing, staring intently at the target.
“Commence shooting!”
Platoon leader Gao Jie’s command prompted Chen Ming to pull the trigger.
“Bang.”
A crisp sound accompanied sparks from the muzzle as the distant target was instantly pierced, with the bullet deeply embedded in the mud slope behind it. Adjusting the firearm affected by recoil, Chen Ming fired the second shot.
“Bang, bang, bang, bang.”
Four successive shots followed, with all bullets discharged. Due to the distance, specific ring counts were not visible. They awaited the target checker’s report.
Performing the routine check after the shooting, Chen Ming unloaded the magazine, checked for remaining bullets, cycled the bolt to ensure all were fired, and secured safety before standing up.
Others had also finished firing, their faces displaying excitement. Platoon leader Gao Jie nodded, signaling their return to formation. As the target checkers approached, meticulous verifications ensued, and results were proclaimed loudly.
“He Dong, Ring 10.”
He Dong blushed, realizing his low score. Chen Ming offered reassurance about the first-time shooting not reflecting significant issues.
The target reporting continued:
“Yu Jun: 20 Rings.”
“He Xue: 35 Rings.”
As the target scores were announced, emotions ranged from joy to disappointment. Finally, it was Chen Ming’s turn. The target reporters meticulously checked and calculated in front of his target.
At this moment, everyone held their breath, anticipating the achievements of the talented soldier who had made various accomplishments since joining the army. Not only the recruits but also the company commander, Lin Changfeng, and observers Ye Qingshan and Hu Zhihu were waiting quietly.
Whether it was He Dong’s 10 rings or He Xue’s 35 rings, in their minds, these were decent performances, and their faces showed little fluctuation.
“Chen Ming!”
The target caller finally calculated Chen Ming’s score and shouted it loudly. At this point, several company commanders and platoon leaders immediately opened their eyes.
“50 rings!”
The target reporter removed the target paper and announced the result loudly. Instantly, everyone’s eyes narrowed sharply, fixedly looking at Chen Ming in the formation.
Fifty rings, a perfect score!
To achieve a full score in the first target shooting? Everyone looked at Chen Ming in disbelief. Even the squad leader, Li Long, couldn’t help turning back, his eyes filled with shock.
He is undoubtedly a born sharpshooter!
The three company commanders also had their pupils constrict, stunned for a while.
“Well!” The Seventh Company’s commander was the first to recover, applauding, “Indeed, Chen Ming, the renowned sharpshooter of the Recruit Company, is perfect as a sniper in our Seventh Company.”
After confirming the results, Hu Zhihu couldn’t restrain himself any longer and immediately started to claim Chen Ming. Although he initially came to observe, he no longer cared about observation now that Chen Ming’s results were out. He expressed his intention to have Chen Ming as a sniper in the Seventh Company.
However, Ye Qingshan, the commander of the Fourth Company, who came to observe together, wasn’t willing. He promptly said, “Company Commander Hu, wouldn’t it be more appropriate for this soldier to be in our Fourth Company? We’re recognized as the ‘sharpshooter company,’ and Chen Ming’s excellent shooting performance aligns well with our company.”
The two locked eyes for a moment, seemingly with lightning flashing between them, neither willing to yield to the other.
“Humph!”
Lin Changfeng, the second company commander of the Recruit Company, snorted, “Do you two not take me seriously? Now, I am Chen Ming’s direct platoon leader!”
The two withdrew their gazes, stopping their contest, and focused their burning eyes on Chen Ming in the formation.
For Chen Ming, both of them were determined to have him!
Lin Changfeng, observing the two, felt a mix of emotions. While proud of Chen Ming’s perfect score in the first target shooting, he also felt depressed.
Chen Ming excelled in all aspects, and Hu Zhihu and Ye Qingshan, like two cunning foxes, would definitely go to the brigade headquarters to try their best to grab this outstanding soldier.
If that happened, Lin Changfeng’s chances of recruiting Chen Ming would be much smaller. Although his Second Company of armored infantry wasn’t weak, compared to the Fourth Company, known as the “sharpshooter,” and the Seventh Company, known as the “elite reconnaissance company,” it lacked in reputation.
The three platoon leaders in front of the shooting range were also shocked when they heard Chen Ming’s results. Chen Ming achieved a perfect score in his first target shooting. Who would believe it?!
However, the facts were undeniable. Second platoon leader Gao Jie shook his head with a wry smile. His worries about Chen Ming’s performance before the target shooting were now proven unnecessary.
Upon hearing Chen Ming’s results, the recruits on the field were filled with surprise, envy, and countless sighs. Some people are just born protagonists, and there’s no comparison.