Xu Lingjun had just been promoted from Operations Director of the Army Group to Commander of the Combined 396th Brigade when his former commander, Liang Beihua, now Deputy Commander of the Theater Command Army, assigned him a critical task. Xu was to lead his brigade in a pilot program for the army's transformation initiative. Liang Beihua reflected on his experiences during the massive military downsizing in 1985, while Xu remembered how, during the 1998 army modernization efforts, his old company commander, once the regiment's top soldier, had to leave service because he couldn't adapt to new equipment. This transformation demanded nothing short of creating a world-class modernized combat force tailored to the needs of the new era, a daunting challenge. Meanwhile, Guo Zijian, the battalion commander of the 1st Battalion, faced possible transfer due to an accident during a training exercise. Xu reviewed the incident thoroughly and boldly reinstated Guo. In the subsequent pilot tasks, Guo exceeded expectations. During a cross-theater, high-stakes exercise, Xu, despite his brilliant command, suffered significant losses against the undefeated Blue Brigade. In the end, Guo's new composite battalion forces, employing innovative tactics, carried out a decisive "decapitation" operation against the Blue Brigade, turning the tide of the exercise and showcasing the success of the transformation efforts.
